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Nathan MacKinnon praises Mitch Marner as one of the best players
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    Nathan MacKinnon praises Mitch Marner as one of the best players

    Nathan MacKinnon is sticking up for one of his good friends, Mitch Marner.

    The reigning Hart Trophy winner and Marner skated together this summer in Vail, Colo., at a camp that included Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.

    Speaking at the NHL media tour in Las Vegas on Tuesday, MacKinnon said he thinks Marner should be mentioned more in discussions about the top players in the league today.

    “It’s a hard league to win in and, obviously, I think Marner gets a lot of flak in Toronto, but he’s honestly one of the best players in the league,” MacKinnon said, according to Matt Larkin of Daily Faceoff. “I play with some of the best players in the league, and then I skate with Marnes, and he’s right up there with anyone. Especially at that Vail camp, there’s a lot of good players, and he’s stuck out as one of the best, for sure.”

    Marner’s future with the Maple Leafs was a hot topic all summer after a disappointing seven-game series loss to the Boston Bruins. In that series, the Maple Leafs were without stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander at different times due to injuries but the Bruins held Marner to just one goal and two assists.

    The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his contract but with the rest of the core Maple Leafs already signed, Marner’s name has been floated as a possible trade candidate in order to shake up a roster that’s won just one series in eight-straight trips to the playoffs.

    Despite all that, Marner remains a member of the Maple Leafs as training camps draw near and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the winger is motivated to make a big impact this upcoming season.

    “He knows this is all hovering around him, and he has been determined to have the best possible summer he can to be ready,” Friedman said of Marner on the most recent episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. “I’ve heard he’s looked dynamite with Crosby and MacKinnon at this Vail camp. … I’m really curious to see this. I think he’s taken this summer very, very seriously.”

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    Nathan MacKinnon, the star center for the Colorado Avalanche, recently spoke highly of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner, calling him one of the best players in the NHL. MacKinnon’s praise for Marner comes as no surprise, as the young forward has been making a name for himself as one of the league’s top talents.

    In a recent interview, MacKinnon was asked about Marner’s performance this season and he had nothing but positive things to say. “Mitch is an incredibly skilled player who can do it all on the ice,” MacKinnon said. “He’s got great vision, quick hands, and a knack for finding the back of the net. He’s definitely one of the best players in the league right now.”

    Marner, who was drafted fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in 2015, has quickly established himself as a key player for the team. In the 2020-2021 season, he recorded 67 points in 55 games, ranking him among the top scorers in the league. His playmaking abilities and offensive prowess have earned him praise from fans and fellow players alike.

    MacKinnon’s comments further solidify Marner’s status as a top player in the NHL. As one of the league’s most dynamic and exciting young talents, Marner continues to impress with his skill and determination on the ice. With his combination of speed, skill, and hockey IQ, there’s no doubt that Marner will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the NHL for years to come.

    Overall, Nathan MacKinnon’s praise for Mitch Marner serves as a testament to the young forward’s talent and potential in the league. As both players continue to excel on the ice, fans can look forward to watching them compete at the highest level and showcase their skills for years to come.