Maple Leafs’ Sheldon Keefe Defends Mitch Marner’s Play After Being Critical of Star Earlier in the Day

‘Let’s not talk about the negatives here’: Maple Leafs’ Sheldon Keefe defends Mitch Marner’s play after criticizing All-Star earlier in the day.

Mitch Marner and Toronto’s rotation hasn’t been bad, but it hasn’t lived up to expectations recently.

When sticks don’t work, sometimes you have to go for carrots. Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe talks to Mitch Marner after Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. We analyzed the playoffs.

Before the game, Keefe was asked about the team’s top line: Marner, Auston Matthews and rookie Matthew Knese. He acknowledged that Marner had not performed at the level expected and the line was struggling to find its rhythm.

“There’s no doubt that Mitch hasn’t found his rhythm yet,” Keefe said. The line hasn’t generated as many shot attempts or consistent scoring opportunities as it has in recent seasons. Keefe attributed some of that to matchups where other teams face their top three defensive players. In the last seven games, Marner has three goals and Matthews has one goal and two assists.

After Saturday’s game, Keefe had several criticisms of Marner’s play. “I think we all agree I can play well, but one of the reports I get before every game is our 5-for-5 rating this season, and Mitch Marner is at the top of the list.” Keef said. “We will continue to develop the team and build the group, but I will not talk about the negatives here.”

Keefe is correct in his comment. Marner leads the team with 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) on 5-for-5 shooting, followed by Matthews with 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists). However, it still cannot solve the overall problem of production shortfall.

Marner was asked to speak to the media after the game, but was unable to. Matthews said his line needs to connect more on the ice.

\”(smooth communication. Knowing and feeling where men will go is often based on effort rather than skill,” said Mathew.

The Maple Leafs wrapped up the first two games of the 2023 NHL Global Series after a week-long trip to Sweden. They blew a 3-1 lead in a game they dominated before losing 4-3 in overtime to the Chicago Blackhawks.

With a 10-6-3 record, the Maple Leafs currently sit in a wild card position after the US Thanksgiving break, an unfamiliar position for a roster full of talent.