“He’s A #2 Center In The NHL Right Now”

A lot was expected of Mitch Marner in his first season in the desert, and he’s lived up to most of it to this point. It’s the unexpected that often defines seasons and sometimes careers, and Marner has delivered something not many, if any, saw coming when he first pulled on a Golden Knights uniform.

Mitch Marner has lined up as a center in 35 of his first 76 games in Las Vegas, including all of the last seven. He has played with seven different combinations of wingers, with the most common being Reilly Smith and Pavel Dorofeyev, and most recently with Ivan Barbashev and Mark Stone.

Even through the coaching change, Marner has remained in the middle, and it doesn’t appear like that’s going to change any time soon.

When we lost Karlsson, we got thin at center and we decided to try Mitch at center. Most real good hockey players have played center as young guys, but he never played center in Toronto. I don’t think he did in London (OHL). So we tried him at center and he’s been fantastic, and we want to keep him there. –George McPhee on NHL Wraparound Podcast

Marner’s skill set obviously fits nicely as a center. He’s defensively responsible, likes to carry the puck high in the zone near the blue line, and has excellent vision, allowing him to find wingers anywhere on the ice. That’s not to say he’s a perfect fit, though, as he’s limited as a forechecker, physically on the weaker side for NHL players, and has not had much success in the faceoff circle.

He’s going to be moved around. He’s too good a player to be locked into one line all the time. I’ll move some people into different positions depending on what’s going on, depending on the momentum of games. I’ve kind of explained that to Mitch already, and obviously players will never turn down ice time. -John Tortorella

The results have continued to roll individually for Marner, and recently, the team results have improved, so he’s understandably content.

I’m pretty comfortable playing all three positions. I’ve done them all three this year, so, yeah, whatever (Tortorella) feels best with throwing me out there on. I’m always good with it. Just trying to be smart with my shift. -Marner

Marner’s ability to play center has really filled a massive void for the Golden Knights. Of course, Jack Eichel remains the team’s first choice, but with Tomas Hertl struggling to generate offense recently and both Brett Howden and Colton Sissons thriving on the wing, Marner’s presence in the middle has stabilized not only the top-six but the entire forward group.

It isn’t very often when you can convert a winger to a center, that rarely happens in this league. He’s so clever and so intelligent defensively, stripping pucks, getting in the way of things. He’s probably been our most consistent player. He’s a number two center in the NHL right now. -McPhee

Marner has posted 18 points in his last 16 games, highlighted by the hat trick and five-point game at home against Calgary. He’s up to 77 points on the season and has posted an excellent +17 rating, the second-best mark on the team.

The playoffs will be an even tougher test for Marner as a matchup centerman, but so far, he’s handled every challenge, giving plenty of reason for optimism.