As the Maple Leafs prepare to take on the Capitals Tuesday night, the news that Mitch Marner got demoted to the fourth line has blown up the Twitterverse of Leafs Nation.

The season is 5 games in, chill the fuck out.

This isn’t the ‘sophomore slump’, that would entail he has taken a step back from a solid rookie campaign, again, we are 5 games in. His rookie campaign was 77 games. Oh, by the way, the kid has 4 points in 5 games. 96% of the league would be thrilled with that kind of production.

Sure, his dash 6 can slow down anytime, but the team is 29th in the league in goals against, this should slow down once the team figures out how to defend and Freddie gets sharper into November. That’s Freddie’s thing, check his history.

This “demotion” also has a lot to do with ‘the best fourth liner in the NHL’ Connor Brown and finding him some more ice time. Should specify, more 5 on 5 ice time, as he is getting lots of special teams minutes, but he only has 2 points so far this season.

Funny how Babcock demotes a guy with 5 points for a guy with 2, but nobody questions his tactics, they point the finger at Marner to be better.

Babcock knows what he is doing, and he knows the Maple Leafs better than any of the published ‘Twitter Sports Journalists’ in the league. Brown will work fine with Bozak and JVR and Marner will probably have 2 assists tonight as he sets up Martin and Moore. The line of 25-42-16 has been a combined -15 while to give you an idea the Matthews line is +17.

So if you have your panties in a bunch because Marner is technically listed on the fourth line to start the game tonight, you’re a plug. The lines can change in-game at any moment, and Marner will still get lots of time on the Power Play. As Babcock mentioned to the media on Monday, Bozak JVR and Marner have not been great defensively, and the veterans won’t be getting demoted off the line anytime soon.

If Babcock asked me for any insight to his lines, I would move Uncle Leo to the fourth line and have Brown play with Naz and Patty Marleau. But, Babcock doesn’t give a shit what I think.

So as the Leafs renew acquaintances with the team who eliminated them from the playoffs last year, enjoy the game and don’t spend your day today, worrying about who Mitch Marner starts the game with.

Instead, realize the lines are going to change from time to time as Babs will do his best to make sure every player maximizes their potential, hence his title as Head Coach.

Mitch Marner is going to be just fine, so chill the fuck out you plugs.

Thank you for stopping by, remember to stay saucy, keep your drags toey, and always finish cheddar.