In his first season with the Vegas Golden Knights, Mitch Marner has reached his first Stanley Cup Final. After completing their sweep of the Colorado Avalanche, Marner took a harsh jab at his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“There have been some dark times for me in hockey,” Marner told reporters.
Marner was one of the cornerstones of a very promising Maple Leafs team. Alongside this, together with Auston Matthews and William Nylander, Marner was expected to help the Maple Leafs win their first Stanley Cup since 1967.
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The Mitch Marner trade
But they never made it all the way. In fact, they never made it past the second round of the playoffs, and Marner was often on the receiving end of criticism from fans and analysts surrounding the Maple Leafs.
As a result, after nine seasons, including five with more than 80 points, the Maple Leafs traded Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights on July 1, 2025.
Since then, the trade has turned out to be very successful for Marner, who tallied 24 goals and 56 assists for 80 points in 81 games with the Golden Knights.
Mitch Marner’s jab at the Leafs
And on Tuesday, the Golden Knights unexpectedly and convincingly swept the heavily favored Avalanche, thereby advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in just nine years of existence. Meanwhile, Marner leads the playoffs in scoring with seven goals and 14 assists in 16 games.
After the game, Marner couldn’t help but throw a little shade at his former team — the Maple Leafs.
“It was a special moment. There have been some dark times for me in hockey, honestly. I’m thankful for my family, my brother, my mom and dad, my wife, and all my friends around me. It was a moment to express some joy and have some fun there. I’ll enjoy it tonight and then get ready to go back to work,” Marner told reporters.
Fans are outraged
Now, Maple Leafs fans are outraged over Marner’s comments.
“I feel like he takes a dig at the Leafs in every single interview. Even in success, bro is petty,” one fan wrote on X.
“Would you stop, you narcissistic person? You don’t need to bring up your past all the time. Move on,” another fan wrote.
“This honestly just shows you how his mind works. Great player, but all he thinks about is himself,” a third fan chimed in.
You can watch the interview below.
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