Lightning Coach Jon Cooper thinks Maple Leaf Mitch Marner may be the smartest player to ever play the game

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper may have a strategy when it comes to his daily opponents, pump their tires. As the media wave took place in Toronto on Monday before the anticipated matchup between eastern conference powerhouses, Cooper took a minute to comment on Maple Leafs superstar, Mitch Marner.

Jon Cooper on Mitch Marner: "He is as smart a player as this league has not only seen this year, but has ever seen."

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 11, 2019

High praise from one of the most respected coaches in the game who also happens to have the NHL's leading scorer on his team and some guy named Stamkos.

If you are apart of Leafs Nation, this comment won't come as a surprise to you because you see Marner play each and every night. Which includes, putting up unreal numbers, Marner's unreal ability to read the play, showcases of his unbelievable vision and patience with his playmaking and more recently, how Marner is now becoming a penalty killing wizard.

If you aren't too familiar with Marner's game, here's a small taste of what you're missing. Marner is on pace for close to 100 points and will be the talk of the summer as the restricted free agent to be should demand north of $10,000,000 per year on his next contract.