Ahead of his first Stanley Cup Final game, Mitch Marner took a jab at his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. How? By commenting on another jab he took at them after the Conference Finals. Marner now says he won’t elaborate on that comment unless he wins a Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Drafted fourth overall in 2015, Mitch Marner quickly became a cornerstone of a highly promising Toronto Maple Leafs team. Alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander, Marner was expected to help bring the Maple Leafs their first Stanley Cup since 1967.
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Mitch Marner trade
But instead, Marner and the Maple Leafs never made it past the second round of the playoffs. Marner was often one of the players most heavily criticized by fans and insiders around the team. So after nine seasons, he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on July 1, 2025.
The move has worked out well for both Marner and the Golden Knights. Marner recorded 80 points in 81 regular-season games, and so far he has 21 points in 16 playoff games for Vegas, leading the entire league.
Jab at the Maple Leafs
After securing a spot in the Stanley Cup Final with a 4–0 sweep of the Colorado Avalanche, Marner threw some blunt shade at his former team.
“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.
As he prepared to play in his first Stanley Cup Final game, Marner met with reporters on Monday. Naturally, they asked about his not-so-subtle jab at the Maple Leafs last week.
Marner then appeared to twist the knife even further.
“Mitch Marner didn’t want to elaborate on his comment about going through ‘dark times’ earlier in his hockey career, but says he will if the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup,” NHL insider Chris Johnston reported.
Fans are furious
Toronto Maple Leafs fans are not happy with Marner’s comments.
“That is the most pathetic, childish, emotionally immature, and overall narcissistic statement you could make,” one angry fan wrote on X.
“Why do you give him attention? It’s just pathetic now. If there was an issue, speak out,” another fan wrote.
“It was a typical silly Mitch comment. He is so bad at giving interviews,” a third fan chimed in.
READ MORE: Mitch Marner takes jab at Maple Leafs after reaching Stanley Cup Final
