Mitch Marner, like many small and skilled forwards before him, has officially been branded with the “bad defensively” iron. He’s been on the ice for eight goals against at even strength through seven games (and just three goals for), and has found himself demoted to the fourth line and playing greatly reduced minutes.



On Wednesday against the Red Wings, Marner played 11:21, the lowest total of his NHL career that didn’t involve injury. His TOI has declined in four straight games from when he played 16:21, a number he still surpassed over half the time last season. Needless to say, he’s fallen a little out of favor with the coaching staff.



One thing that’s tough to argue, is that his linemates through the first seven games (or, say, their entire careers) haven’t been great defensively either. Combined, it’s a talented unit with an affinity for red lights, regardless on which end they show up. So, with Marner getting the...