Craig Berube draws similarities between Pavel Datsyuk and $65,418,000 Maple Leafs star

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Nov 08, 2024 21:47 GMT

Toronto Maple Leafs coach has said that he sees similarities between Mitch Marner and Detroit Red Wings legend Pavel Datsyuk.

During Berube’s media availability following practice on Friday morning, reporters asked him what comes to his mind when he hears the name “Pavel Datsyuk.” One reporter brought up former coach Mike Babcock’s comparison of Marner with Datsyuk. To this, Berube replied:

“Mitch has a lot of the same things. Mitch is a really good 200-foot player, too. He kills penalties, anticipates extremely well, has a great stick; all the same qualities that Datsyuk had.”

Pavel Datsyuk was a cornerstone of the great Red Wings teams that won the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008. Datsyuk also won the Selke Trophy three years in a row (2008-2010) and the Lady Byng four times.

He ranks among the league’s top 100 players and exemplified what a top two-way forward could be like.

Berube concluded his thoughts on the comparison between Mitch Marner and Pavel Datsyuk by stating:

“I agree.”

Marner is in the last year of his current six-year, $65.418 million deal. While speculation raged during the summer about an extension, the rumor mill has been quiet during the regular season.

Still, Marner has been a force for the Toronto Maple Leafs, leading the club with 16 points in 14 games. He is currently seventh on the Leafs' all-time scoring list with 655 points in 590 games played.

No update on Mitch Marner's contract extension with Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported back in September that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner were willing to negotiate a new deal during the regular season. That report fueled speculation about a timeline for a deal to be finalized.

However, it is now November and there has been no word on a potential extension for Marner with the Leafs. Friedman indicated that both the Maple Leafs and Marner’s agent would try their best to keep in-season negotiations as discreet as possible to avoid unnecessary distractions.

Thus far, it seems the tactic has worked. Very little information has made its way into the mainstream, suggesting that contract talks may have hit a standstill.

Meanwhile, Marner is quietly putting up his usual numbers, leading the Maple Leafs in assists, while driving the play at both ends of the ice. He has solidified himself as the Leafs’ best two-way forward.

Ultimately, there’s no telling if or when a new contract extension could be announced. In the meantime, Mitch Marner continues to show he’s worthy of a long-term extension potentially worth more than his current deal.