Maple Leafs’ Marchenko Silencing Critics After Hat Trick Performance

Previously, I wrote an article on why the early criticism of Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna was completely unwarranted. McKenna responded with a multi-point effort and got more comfortable with the games that followed along with his production. 

Not even a week later, major media outlets have shifted their focus to another new arrival in Kirill Marchenko. Jeff O’Neill on TSN’s Overdrive recently said that he hasn’t been fantastic since scoring his first goal with the Maple Leafs and looked “sleepy” on their latest road trip.

While he was talking about a sub-par road trip and even Marchenko said that he has more to give, but he has been consistently one of the most dangerous and productive players on the ice. His hat trick performance in a 5- 4 loss against the Buffalo Sabres proved it. For there to be this much criticism early on with another new addition is becoming tiresome. He’s still adjusting to a new team and so far, he has answered the call despite the talk surrounding him.

Marchenko Has Been a Dominant Force 

With all the talk, it’s very fitting that Marchenko scored an unreal, highlight goal against the Sabres, going between the legs on the power play. He followed that up with two more for the hat trick. While he may not have been listening to what everyone is saying, the timing couldn’t have been better as he’s putting those takes to rest.

Marchenko is only weeks into his tenure with the Maple Leafs. Yes, there have been some bad turnovers that had a bad result, but overall Marchenko has truly been a difference maker offensively and the analytics show that when he’s on the ice. At five-on-five, Marchenko has an expected goals for of 53.38%, a scoring chances for of 60.42% and a high danger chances of 55.81%. He’s third on the team in individual scoring chances for with 18 behind Auston Matthews and William Nylander and 29^th in the league.

He has been a real factor offensively in generating chances and opportunities and despite the low goal total, he has been pointless in only one game this season. You would like to see him get more goals, but it’s not for a lack of trying as he’s been shooting from all areas of the ice. Sooner or later, the bounces will continue to go his way and they did.

It’s still an adjustment period for him as he wasn’t playing on his strong side and he’s being used in a slightly different role than he was with the Columbus Blue Jackets. While dangerous on the top line, he still looked dominant on his strong side on the second line with John Tavares and Nick Paul. Even with the change, he hasn’t been disappointing by any means. 

Marchenko Criticism is Unnecessary

We’re not even a month into the season and already the amount of criticism for some Maple Leafs players, including Marchenko, didn’t really need to be brought up. Players do want to give more, but Marchenko was already playing and producing at a decent pace. 

Despite not scoring, Marchenko had favourable results with Matthews and Jack Roslovic on the top line. For experts once again saying he hasn’t been great, while being an important play driver and now producing is ambiguous. I can understand if the production wasn’t there and if he wasn’t really dynamic, but he has been the exact opposite. He’s been doing exactly what they brought him in to do.  

Before joining with the Maple Leafs he had a point per game average of 0.79. He’s now a PPG player. Even if he doesn’t continue at that pace, as he continues to play in this system, he will get more comfortable and continue to get quality looks and convert on them.

Marchenko probably doesn’t pay any attention to what’s being said, but the timing and the way that he answered the criticism just like McKenna, shows that there should be no concern as he has been one of their key play drivers and generators. 

He has to be feeling really good about his game now after his previous performance.

Statistics from Natural Stat Trick.