Mitch Marner's Performance In Auston Matthews' Absence Worthy of Some Recognition

Since Auston Matthews went down with an injury, the Maple Leafs have won 7 of their last 8 games, including a victory over the Utah Hockey Club last night.

One player who has certainly stepped up and produced tremendous results over this span is winger Mitch Marner.

As noted by Luke Fox on X:

In those 8 games, Marner has accumulated an impressive 14 points, including 6 goals. While Marner is typically known for his playmaking ability, it's clear the Leafs have leaned on him more to shoot the puck, a shift that has not gone unnoticed by teammates like Matthew Knies.

This strong play from Marner is coming at a critical time, as he enters the final year of his 6 year pact that pays him $10.9 million. He will become a free agent at the end of the season.

The absence of a player like Matthews -- a two-time 60-goal scorer -- would be a tough blow for any team. However, the depth of the Maple Leafs has been put to the test and has risen to the occasion. It's the deepest the team has been in recent years, and that depth will be vital moving forward, especially with the potential for further injuries.

If Marner continues to perform at this level, he could price himself out of Toronto. Many have already speculated that he could command a salary well north of $12 million per year, and with his current play, that figure may only increase.