Auston Matthews faces his biggest test yet. With Mitch Marner’s departure from Toronto, the Maple Leafs are counting on their captain to fill an enormous void.
But recent data suggests this faith might be misplaced, revealing just how much Matthews relied on his former linemate’s playmaking magic.
How Much Did Mitch Marner’s Playmaking Impact Auston Matthews’ Success?
While Matthews recorded 78 points during the 2024-25 season, placing him behind Marner’s 102 points and William Nylander’s 84, his playoff performance raised questions. With just three goals in 13 playoff games, critics pointed to his postseason inconsistencies.
However, the Maple Leafs have been betting on Matthews to step up. A recent Instagram post by DataDrivenHockey reveals why Marner’s exit hurts Matthews significantly. The post mentions, “Mitch Marner helped create a lot of goals over his 9 seasons as a Leaf 📊”
The numbers tell a striking story. Since the 2016-17 season, Marner assisted on 152 of Matthews’ goals. That represents a massive 37.9% of Matthews’ 401 total goals as a Maple Leaf.
The data reveals Marner’s incredible reach throughout Toronto’s lineup. The post continues with, “In addition to this list, he had 97 assists on 41 other players’ goals.” Beyond Matthews, Marner recorded a career-high 75 assists in 81 regular-season games during the 2024-25 campaign.
Can Matthews Maintain His Scoring Without Marner’s Elite Playmaking?
The recent season dependency becomes even clearer when examining 2024-25 specifically. Twenty of Marner’s assists went to Matthews’ 33 goals, meaning nearly 60% of Matthews’ total goals came via Marner’s passes.
This timing concerns critics, as the 2024-25 season marked Matthews’ lowest-scoring campaign. His 33 goals represented a sharp decline from the 69 goals he scored in 2023-24. While Matthews has never dipped below 30 goals in a season, this recent slump, combined with Marner’s departure, creates uncertainty.
The statistical impact extends beyond just Matthews. Marner was responsible for nearly 40 percent of center John Tavares’ 222 regular-season goals, providing 88 assists. Other top-six forwards like Nylander and Matthew Knies have also benefited heavily from Marner’s playmaking.
Many critics argue that Matthews is a natural goal scorer who won’t be affected by Marner’s exit. However, his visible slump during the latter half of the 2024-25 season suggests otherwise. With Marner gone, Matthews must now handle both primary scoring responsibilities and playmaking duties.
While Matthews recorded 45 assists during the 2024-25 season, that total falls well short of Marner’s production. The Maple Leafs hope Dakota Joshua’s addition will help fill the void, but questions remain about how Toronto will fare without their departed playmaker in the upcoming 2025-26 season.