In the world of the NHL, sometimes everyone loves to hate the tough guy.
And Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves is one of the toughest there is. The 38-year-old recorded 103 hits throughout the 2024-25 season. But this time, instead of hitting people, he’s helping out a former teammate who’s in need of support during a recent adjustment period.
Former Leaf star Mitch Marner, who was dealt away by his hometown franchise in free agency, has been receiving quite some hate online as a result of his blockbuster move to the Vegas Golden Knights but Reaves has something to say about how Toronto fans have been voicing their displeasure.
Leafs’ Ryan Reaves Defends Mitch Marner’s Move
On Tuesday’s edition of The Cam & Strick Podcast, Reaves made his stance on Marner going to the Golden Knights crystal clear – he’s happy for Marner’s next career journey.
“Mitchie earned the right to go wherever he wants, and he’s dedicated a lot of his career, his whole career, to Toronto. He’s a hometown guy and he’s poured everything he had into it; sometimes it’s just time to move on.
I’m happy for him [and] he deserved the contract he got. I wish him the best.”
Marner moved to Vegas in a sign-and-trade with the Maple Leafs before NHL free agency started on July 1. The Golden Knights sent over center Nicolas Roy to Toronto and then signed Marner to an eight-year, $96 million contract.
Unfortunately for Marner, this move has damaged the Canadaian native’s reputation with fans immensely.
Toronto Fans Resent Mitch Marner
Ever since Marner was acquired on July 1, it seems league fans have been out for blood across social media.
Congrats, Vegas. You just ensured yourselves of future playoff busts. But hey, you beat the Panthers in 2023. That’s the only thing you have to hold over their heads. But when Florida wins three more Cups, I guarantee no one in Sunrise will even remember 2023.
— John A. Labban (@johnalabban4629) June 30, 2025
mitch marner trade to vegas is like if zayn left one direction and joined the wanted
— syd 🌱 (@ginasfsydnee) June 30, 2025
“Mitch Marner finally gets to ruin another hockey city,” one fan said on X.
“They can have him…. He’ll be the biggest regret the city of Vegas has ever seen,” another said.
The fans have been so bad that even Reaves, with his tough-guy on-ice persona as a ferocious fighter, has come to his defense.
“I think [the fans] can be a little ruthless to him. I guess just because he’s a hometown guy and sometimes fans want to point fingers at somebody.
I think there’s two sides to the fans in Toronto; there are ones who want to win so bad that they’re willing to drag anybody through the dirt, and then there’s just the loyal fans who want to cheer on a good team,” Reaves said on the podcast.
“Unfortunately, there’s a lot of fans that do a lot of both. It’s tough for any player when you’re reading all [of] the hate you get. It’s probably just frustrating.”
Hopefully, for Marner’s sake, when the 2025-26 NHL regular season kicks off on Oct. 7, fans and players alike will all be happy for his next chapter.
He was paid handsomely…. overpaid actually when contract compared to Rantanen. He did not produce in the playoffs when it matters most. That being said, he wasn’t the only one, and there’s no excuse for being verbally abusive.
Mitch Marner should blame Kyle Dubas for the “ fan reaction” . Dubas had no idea how to construct a playoff team . 5 or 6 players earning the bulk of the cap will never allow you to have a quality bottom 6 . Without a high end bottom 6 a Stanley Cup is impossible . Someone had to go .
I am sorry to see you go Mitch , biggest mistake Leafs organization ever made !!! Why are they blaming Marner for everything ! He was the one that brought them to the playoffs !!! Always got job done when Mathew’s was not playing due to injury . Unfortunately Leaf fans didn’t appreciate having a top player like Mitch should be ashamed of themselves for criticizing an amazing player!! We will miss you Mitch Marner wish all the best in Vegas!!
Totally agree.
Mitch Marner was a Star player and you cannot blame 1 player for the teams loss!
Hate to see him go, but all the best to you and your family Mitch!!
It’s absolutely ridiculous to blame Mitch Marner for Toronto’s playoff woes. The guy is one of the top five offensive players in the league and will be sorely missed.
People forget just how close this team came to moving on to the third round. As it is they were the only team that took Florida to seven games.
I’ve been a Leaf fan for 60 plus years and I have to say that letting him walk for very little return might be the worst move ever by Leaf management. I doubt they’ll even make the playoffs with part time contributors like Nylander and overrated Austin Matthews leading the way.
Thank you. 100%
Mitch Marner is a great hockey player in the NHL and in Junior when he played for the London Knights when he was part of 2016 Memorial Cup championship team. I watched him play on the nights as well. Toronto is going to have trouble replacing a 100 point average per season. This year you got 102 points. The fans are too hard on him. They forget it’s a team game and when you’re losing the in playoffs it’s not just one or two players that cause the team to lose. Everybody has to step it up and play in the playoffs. Playoffs are totally different game than in the regular season and every everybody has to put in on 110% and you have to blame all the players for the team failure not just one or two. All the best. Mitch in the next phase of your hockey career, as a die hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan I will miss watching you play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In many ways I know it was hard for you to leave Toronto because you are a hometown boy, but I don’t blame you in many ways for leaving ,due to the unnecessary treatment from the fans, I should say from some of the fans in Toronto. Good luck Mitch in your hockey career and in life to you and your family.
💯 Good luck Mitch! This Toronto fan will miss you dearly. All the best for you and your new, beautiful family.