The departure of Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs after nine seasons didn’t just mark the end of an era — it sparked a broader conversation about the cost of playing in hockey’s most intense media market.
Marner’s exit was sealed when he was sign-and-traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, where he immediately became the highest-paid player in franchise history with a massive eight-year, $96 million extension. While hockey factors certainly played a role, according to one of his former teammates, the environment in Toronto may have been equally important.
Ryan Reaves, a current member of the Leafs and teammate of Auston Matthews, voiced his strong support for Marner and delivered sharp criticism of the fan base in a revealing interview on The Cam & Strick Podcast.
Why did Ryan Reaves defend Mitch Marner’s decision to leave?
Reaves praised Marner for everything he gave to the Leafs organization, emphasizing that the forward had earned the right to move on. “Mitchie earned the right to go wherever he wants,” Reaves said. “He’s dedicated a lot of his career — his whole career — to Toronto. A hometown guy. He’s poured everything he had into it. Sometimes it’s just time to move on.”
Mitch Marner is officially unveiled as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights, following his blockbuster sign-and-trade from Toronto. (Photo via @GoldenKnights on X)
His comments reflect a sense of respect for Marner’s tenure and a recognition of the unique pressures that come with playing for your hometown team.
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How did Leafs fans influence Marner’s departure?
Reaves did not mince words when discussing the role of the fan base, describing Leafs Nation as occasionally “ruthless” — particularly toward Marner. “I think (Leafs fans) can be a little ruthless to him,“ Reaves said. “I guess just because he’s the hometown guy, and sometimes fans want to point fingers at somebody.”
That intensity, while part of what makes Toronto a special hockey market, also contributes to a volatile environment where even franchise stars become lightning rods for criticism.
What does this say about playing in Toronto?
According to Reaves, the Leafs’ fan base is deeply divided — a split that creates mental strain on players year after year. “There are two sides to fans in Toronto,“ he said. “I think there’s the ones who just want to win so bad that they will drag anybody through the dirt, and loyal fans that just want to support the team.”
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Did Leafs fans push Mitch Marner away?
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He added: “Unfortunately, there’s a lot of fans there, so you get a lot of both. It’s tough for any player when you’re reading all the hate… it’s probably just frustrating.”
