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Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner reveals the real reason why he left Toronto
Photo credit: Sportsnet
Mitch Marner called out the Toronto Maple Leafs and fans in Scotiabank Arena after signing with GM Kelly McCrimmon and the Vegas Golden Knights.
The world seems upside down, as this NHL season, we will see longtime Maple Leaf player Mitch Marner take the ice, wearing a Vegas Golden Knights uniform.
The former Maple Leafs 1st-round draft pick and Selke Trophy nominee was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in a trade that seems unfair to the Leafs. They received depth center, Nicolas Roy, in return.
For Marner, the move was about winning, and he didn't hold back on his motivations:
Instead of wanting to be in Scotiabank Arena, he felt like T-Mobile was more of his style.
Marner reveals Vegas is a better fit for his family
"Everything here is a good fit for my wife and I and our new son. The winning aspect of this team really helps everything as well. We have great players here. Luckily it all worked out because this is where we always wanted to be."
While that seems like an innocent comment, after the drama in Toronto, you can read the undertones. Marner was unpopular in Toronto near the end of his tenure there.
The Markham, Ontario-born forward was left disappointed after all was said and done.
Instead of remaining humble, Marner would expand on this:
"T-Mobile Arena is all-time. It's crazy. The vibe you get as soon as you walk into the arena, to the warmups to the start of the game. Just seeing the videos my parents have shown me from being at games and the love the fans give to the team is pretty special."
Marner scored 102 points (27-75) in Toronto on the first line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies as linemates.
Even with Head Coach Craig Berube, they couldn't find a way to make it past the two-time Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers.
The destinations Marner had in mind were the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights. Once again, with Alex Pietrangelo on LTIR, the team was able to make it work.
Should we expect them in the Stanley Cup playoffs once again in 2026?
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 2 | 663 ANSWERS Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner reveals the real reason why he left Toronto Do you think forward Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights will win the Stanley Cup in 2026? | ||
| Yes | 100 | 15.1 % |
| No | 563 | 84.9 % |
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