The blockbuster move of this year's NHL offseason was by far Mitch Marner’s big move over to the west coast, leaving Toronto, and heading to Vegas in his quest for the Stanley Cup, but what exactly will he bring to Vegas, and are they now finally back to being the team to fear in the west?
To many's surprise, Mitch Marner has only ever achieved one 100 point season, that season being last year where he put up 102 points in his contract year. Marner is highly regarded as one of the league's best offensive talents, and best players at full stop, however what he will bring to Vegas may be the injection of energy and talent they desperately need to return back to being a legit championship contender.
As the Golden Knights continue to age and become a team who needs more depth of youth, ringing in Marner, a proven goal and point scorer who is still at the peak of his game is exactly what they needed. As Mark Stone’s game begins to regress with age, a top five winger who is an offensive threat to anybody like Marner is the ideal partner for a sharpshooter like Jack Eichel, and is probably going to make things very interesting for the Knights top line.
Heading into his contract year, Jack Eichel will be looking to have a career year, surpassing his previous 94 points, aiming to clock his first 100 point season, and with the addition of Mitch Marner on his side, that looks like a real possibility. Not only is Marner somebody who creates danger in the offensive zone, but he is reliable with the puck on his stick, he can score, he will get assists, and he will make those around him better. If signing Marner wasn't a statement that the Vegas Golden Knights are back, then teams should be worried.
As the new guy on the block, it may take some time to ease into a new environment, and a new style of play under head coach Bruce Cassidy, however his game alone, and how lethal he can be is only going to make that Vegas offense more dangerous, and regardless of whether it is 100 points, 120, or 130, Marner’s impact alone could be enough to make them the most feared offense in the west.
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