Mitch Marner shared his feelings on facing the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time since his departure. Now with the Vegas Golden Knights, Marner said the matchup represents a normal regular season game. He noted that there isn’t any animosity and still has strong bonds with his former teammates.
Marner, 28, spent 10 years with the Maple Leafs and delivered strong regular season performances. He was selected 4th overall by his hometown Leafs in the 2015 NHL Draft, a moment viewed as a dream come true. However, as his role became more prominent, he faced criticism when the team failed suffered early playoff exits.
After the Leafs were eliminated in the 2nd round by the Florida Panthers last season, Marner choose to explore free agency. He joined the Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade with the Leafs, a move that drew a negative reaction from the fan base.
Now preparing for his first game against Toronto while wearing another uniform, Marner made it clear that there is no ill will. Marner revealed that he still occasionally keeps in touch with his former teammates despite playing in Vegas.
Mitch Marner Shares Thoughts on First Game Against Maple Leafs
During a press scrum, Mitch Marner addressed his highly anticipated first meeting against his former team. Although he has remained in contact with several former teammates, he said their conversations have not focused on hockey.
“I’ve checked in with them throughout the year. I’m still obviously really good buddies with a lot of them. Checked in with them and just see how they’re doing, how they’re families are doing, talked to them over Christmas and holidays,” Marner told reporters. “[I] got really close with a lot of them there, like brothers. But yeah, there hasn’t been too much talk about hockey, really.”
Marner also shared his thoughts on the challenges the Leafs present. He stressed that the Golden Knights will need to maintain strong attention to detail.
“They’re a fast team. They play direct, they get up the rush very, very well. We got to try and use that maybe as our advantage, is just make sure [we’re] making the smart plays, right plays, being above them,” Marner said. “Try to limit their odd man chances. They like working the cycle down low and trying I guess to find that pop play and find that middle. So, we just got to make sure we communicate and talk to one another and close them quickly.”
Analyst Criticized NHL for Their Handling of Marner’s First Game Against Leafs
Former player-turned-analyst Jay Rosehill criticized the NHL‘s schedulers for how they handled Marner’s first game against Toronto. The matchup has been highly anticipated following Marner’s departure from the Maple Leafs.
Rosehill said the first meeting between the Golden Knights and Maple Leafs should have been placed in a premium timeslot. He argued that the league could have built more anticipation by scheduling the game in primetime to maximize viewership.
“I think the NHL just completely botched this with the schedule,” Rosehill said during Daily Faceoff Live. “You tuck the battle of them facing each other in some nothing throwaway date on a Thursday in January, when Mitch is on a back-to-back.”
He added:
“First time he comes back to Toronto, he’s on a back-to-back. It doesn’t really lend itself to the fireworks that it could have been.”
Mitch Marner Speaks Out Ahead of First Game Against Maple Leafs