Forward Mitch Marner may have been traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights on July 1, but over two weeks later, plenty of people in the NHL world are still talking about it.
The star was dealt away by his hometown franchise ahead of free agency and has been receiving some hate online as a result of his blockbuster move to the Golden Knights. Marner moved to Vegas in a sign-and-trade with the Maple Leafs before NHL free agency started. The Golden Knights sent over center Nicolas Roy to Toronto and then signed Marner to an eight-year, $96 million contract.
Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, this move has damaged the franchise’s relationship with fans immensely, with a former league executive even feeling the need to come to its defense.
Fans Resent the Toronto Maple Leafs
Ever since Marner was acquired on July 1, it seems NHL fans (especially the Toronto faithful) have been out for blood across social media.
“CANADA WILL NEVER WIN THE CUP,” one fan said on X.
“End of an era in Toronto,” another said.
Here’s Mitch Marner’s first and last goal as a Leaf. Sucks it had to end this way but it’s time to move on. pic.twitter.com/ehiHsDwjFC
— Michael (@mic_mazz) July 1, 2025
“Canada stinks everyone is leaving,” said another fan.
Marner had a career-high 102 points from a combined 27 goals and 75 assists in 81 regular-season games for Toronto last season, in addition to 13 points from two goals and 11 assists in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Pierre McGuire Defends the Maple Leafs
The fans have been so hostile that NHL analyst and former league executive Pierre McGuire has come to a stark defense of the franchise in their decision to deal Marner away.
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“I’ll never disrespect anybody’s opinion, but I’m allowed to have my own opinion too if they’re going to have an opinion. Most of those people never saw Matias Maccelli play. I’ve seen him play a lot over in Finland and over here in North America,” McGuire said on Wednesday, via The Leafs Nation.
“He’s a vastly underrated player. His hockey sense is exquisite. Maybe one of the better pure depth players in the league that nobody really knows, so I think he’s going to do really well. Nicolas Roy is going to, I think, thrive in his position. Obviously, he’s probably a third center. I think you’re going to see some tremendous hockey from him.
“The biggest thing to me is the depth and defense is still there, and it’s getting better all the time. They’ve got depth in goal, which they haven’t had. I think last year when [Anthony] Stolarz got hurt and [Joseph] Woll went in, it gave him an opportunity to even improve his game. I know they didn’t finish the way most people wanted, but those are valuable reps and experience.
“I’m more bullish on Toronto than maybe most people. But here’s the biggest thing — when you have the depth down the middle, Matthews, Tavares, Groulx, and Laughton, and then I don’t even count David Kämpf. There’s huge depth down the middle in Toronto that I don’t think people respect anyone enough.”
McGuire’s statements come ahead of Toronto hosting Marner and the Golden Knights in the longtime Leafs’ first game back in his new team colors on Jan. 23.
