POTG Marchand Review

https://hutdb.net/17/view/11567 (for reference)

Currently playing on the 2nd line/2nd PP/1st PK.

Lafontaine/Brind'Amour/Marchand (same for PP) Toews/Marchand (PK)

• Skating 8.5/10: With both TW and his Speedster Synergies activated Marchand can skate, but not as well as I had hoped. He's definitely got some speed on him, but he just doesn't feel like he's skating at a 96 overall speed. His acceleration doesn't feel like a 97 overall either. What Marchand does seem to "lack" in speed, he more than makes up for in agility and strength. For a little guy, Marchand can take a hit and just keep on going. His movement around the ice is silky smooth, and I had no problem making quick cuts in or out of speed bursts.

• Shooting 8/10: Marchand's wrist shot is something to behold. While this card lacks the WW2 of his previous upgrades, I found that his shot was more than adequate. It's not particularly fast or hard, but time and again I found myself firing off a wrister in traffic, and Marchand's shot just found the back of the net. Off the rush he's fairly accurate and his shot is definitely dangerous. Like most higher tier cards, Marchand's one timer, while not necessarily automatic, finds the back of the next more often than not. His slapshot leaves something to be desired. It's not bad by any means, it's just not that exceptional either.

• Hands 10/10: Marchand's hands rating is deceivingly rated at 89, guy can dangle. I mean he can really dangle, and he isn't easy to take the puck off of if you use him right. For people who like to cycle like me, Marchand is a master at taking up space and time, and creating holes in the defense where there seemingly isn't one. Use his body to put yourself in a good position, dangle for days if you must, and with his TT activated his passing is nice and crisp at 92.

• Checking 7/10: Marchand can lay the body, and it is hilarious taking down your opponent's Chara, Myers, Ect with the little ball of hate. Only issue is that Marchand tends to take himself out of the play a lot when laying hits because he usually ends up toppling over too. I'd just suggest against going for big hits with Marchand, and instead use his checking to bump people off the puck and take control.

• Defense 9/10: Marchand is a fore/back checking god, plain and simple. You're in the offensive zone and need to create some pressure? Marchand can fix that. Gave up a breakaway because your AI defenseman pinched AND missed the puck? Marchand can fix that. Use his body, use his hands, get the puck, posses the puck, rinse, wash, repeat. Just remember he's small, so don't go trying to block shots with him, he doesn't get bonus points in blocking for his nose. Also be wary of his discipline as it's only a 74, and sometimes the AI decides it's time for Marchand to hit the slash/elbow button. Thankfully it didn't happen enough for it to be an issue.

• Overview: Sitting around 250k-300k if you're looking for a guy to speed up the wing and shoot, there are cards that do it better, for cheaper. POTG Marchand is not about scoring off the rush, he's all about being a true Two Way Forward. Just insanely well rounded, and an absolute possession monster. He can score, pass, and defend all in one. I originally sold my base Malkin to fund this card, and I was nervous that I was making a mistake by breaking up something that wasn't broken. But what I lost in offense from Malkin I gained in all around play from Marchand, and I've found that having him paired with Lafontaine and Brind'Amour allows me more freedom for both players than I had with Malkin. His POTG is a definite improvement over his 88 overall card, and well worth the pick up if you play a cycle style of play.

10 GP 7 Goals (2 Shorties) 9 Assists 16 Points (again for reference, All online games, D6)