Ex-NHLer issues concern over Maple Leafs' playoff chances without Mitch Marner

The Toronto Maple Leafs have slim playoff chances this season without Mitch Marner. That is the feeling that former NHL player Dave Bolland expressed.

During an appearance on the November 14 edition of the Leafs Nation show, Bolland expressed his concerns over the Maple Leafs’ chances at making the playoffs in the post-Mitch Marner era.

Bolland stated:

"It's gonna be tough playing right now. It's not gonna be easy. It's not gonna be easy. It's not gonna be easy. But I just, I just don't feel like, right now, they're a playoff team. I don't feel like they're, I feel like they're going to be on the edge, like, I think missing Marner with 100 points, like points helps out, and he was, he was one of their main guys.”

Bolland, who played 23 games with the Maple Leafs during the 2013-14 season, didn’t pull any punches. He was clear about how much Mitch Marner’s absence has held the club back.

But that’s not all the two-time Stanley Cup champion had to say. Bolland added:

“So it's just that I feel right now like I'm a big I'm a Leaf fan. I want to see them win the Stanley Cup before I'm dead, so that's hopefully a long time down the road, but it's going to be tough when we get out of this. And I hope they do, and hope they figure it out."

Despite the challenges in the early going, there is still some reason for optimism. The Maple Leafs possess a strong core, injuries notwithstanding. The situation is somewhat dire with captain Auston Matthews out of the lineup.

But the hope is that the team can still right the ship and get back into the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.

Mitch Marner quietly thriving away from the Maple Leafs

Meanwhile, Mitch Marner is quietly thriving away from the spotlight that comes with playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his first 16 games for the Vegas Golden Knights, Marner has scored four goals and added 15 assists for 19 points.

Marner’s point totals are on par with the production shown during his time with the Leafs. Marner has consistently averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per night, hitting as much as 24 minutes on November 8 against the Anaheim Ducks.

The 28-year-old forward has looked good playing with Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev. The trio had led the way for the Golden Knights despite their pedestrian 7-4-5 mark heading into Friday night’s action.

As it stands, the Golden Knights are on the outside looking in of the Western Conference playoff race. But there’s still enough time to get things going and get back into the thick of the postseason picture.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan