Pay Mitch Marner all the money, he’s worth it

A funny thing that keeps popping up during these playoffs is counting the dollars that will be added to Mitch Marner’s post-ELC contract every single time he does something well. I mean, this has been happening all season as fans around the league are looking for ways to undermine the great thing the Leafs have going on, but it’s been amplified in the playoffs.

Marner currently has three points in three games in the playoffs. He scored two goals in Game 1 and picked up an assist in Game 3. There hasn’t been a single Leaf to really explode offensively thus far in the series. Instead, it’s been strong play by committee.

The offence is inevitable for Marner. He’s going to score goals, he’s going to make plays, he’s going to rack up points, and he’s going to drive offence. This has been his game forever. But one thing about Marner that has been on display this series is his really good two-way game.

Front and centre last night was Marner literally laying his body on the line for the team in the dying seconds of the third period. He blocked not one but TWO shots with a few seconds left to secure the win.

There’s no doubt that Marner is going to get paid this summer. And he should. He’s earned it. This is the kind of player you want on your team. While Marner kind of falls under the radar as a small, skilled guy who puts up points, he’s developing into a very complete player who will do anything to help the team win.

So, for all the other fans out there laughing about how Marner’s great play is simply upping his future cap hit, paying a lot of money for good players is much, much, muuuuuuch better than, you know, not having good players to pay in the first place. Mitch Marner is the kind of player you win with.