“He’s a Good Person,” Golden Knights GM Urges Maple Leafs Fans to Get Over Mitch Marner

Mitch Marner recorded 741 points (221 goals and 520 assists) in 657 regular-season games for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“He’s a Good Person,” Golden Knights GM Urges Maple Leafs Fans to Get Over Mitch Marner

Mitch Marner (Image via TSN)

In Short
  • Mitch Marner left the Toronto Maple Leafs after nine seasons and joined the Vegas Golden Knights.
  • Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon urged Maple Leafs fans to move on from Marner, calling him a "good person."
  • Marner has reached the Stanley Cup Final in his first season with the Golden Knights, leading the league in postseason points.

Mitch Marner attracted a few headlines this week following his comments after the Vegas Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final. On Thursday, team GM Kelly McCrimmon indirectly urged the Toronto Maple Leafs fans to get over him.

Before the start of the 2025-26 season, Marner left the Maple Leafs. The right winger, who spent 9 seasons in Toronto, agreed to a sign-and-trade deal and joined the Golden Knights on an 8-year, $96 million deal.

Marner’s exit brought an end to the ‘Core 4’ era of the Maple Leafs. Along with John Tavares, William Nylander, and Auston Matthews, Marner was one of the top 4 members of the team.

In his debut season with the Las Vegas-based side, Marner has reached the Stanley Cup Final. On Tuesday, the Golden Knights emerged as 2-1 winners against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final.

This saw them complete a 4-game sweep of them and reach their 3rd Stanley Cup Final. In contrast, Marner won just 2 playoff series in his 9-year stay with the Maple Leafs.

After reaching the Final, Marner made some huge comments. The 29-year-old claimed that he had some “dark moments” in his career before and thanked his parents and his wife for their support.

These comments from him did not sit well with some members of the Maple Leafs community. Many called him out on social media and took a shot at him.

Amid this saga, Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon claimed that he (Marner) was a “good person” and that the Maple Leafs fans had to let it go.

I know it’s Toronto. I know it’s Mitch Marner. I know it’s polarizing, but for me, it’s a little bit about the guy’s ex-girlfriend moving away and doing well. At some point you got to get over it. He’s a good person. He’s a great teammate.

Kelly McCrimmon said regarding Mitch Marner on OverDrive

Marner received a mixed reception on his return to the Scotiabank Arena earlier this year. While one fan had a “SELLOUT” jersey ready for him, there were some who booed him when he stepped on the ice. However, some cheered him and had positive signs and posters for him.

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TV Host claims criticism of Mitch Marner from Maple Leafs fans was justified

Mitch Marner had some interesting words regarding his celebration after the Vegas Golden Knights clinched a finals berth. A TV host later blasted him for his “dark moments” comment and claimed that the criticism regarding him from the Toronto Maple Leafs fans was justified.

Mitch Marner
Mitch Marner during his return to Toronto (Image via X/@NHL)

As mentioned above, Marner won just 2 playoff series during his tenure with the Maple Leafs. Despite the star power the team had, they struggled in some games.

Last season, Marner became the first right winger in the Maple Leafs’ franchise history to record 100 points in the regular season. He finished the campaign with 102 points.

In the second round series, his former side took a 2-0 lead against the Florida Panthers. However, they were unable to hold on to the lead and lost in Game 7 and suffered another playoff heartbreak. Marner wrapped up the playoffs with 13 points (2 goals and 11 assists). In the series against the Panthers, he scored just 1 goal in 7 games.

While reacting to his comment on his show, TV Host Sid Seixeiro took a shot at him and expressed that there was bound to be criticism regarding how he played.

Let’s talk about dark times. When you have one playoff goal in 26 games … yeah there’s going to be criticism. … Mitch Marner quote we’re treated like gods in this city. Now all of a sudden he’s had a lot of dark times in his career. His name is Mitch Marner not Mitch Martyr. The victimization ends here with me.

Sid Seixeiro said regarding Mitch Marner

Marner will be hoping to put this aside and focus on the upcoming Final. This will be the third time the Golden Knights will play in the Final, having lost in the 2018 one against the Washington Capitals before winning in 2023 against the Florida Panthers.

They will take on the winners of the Eastern Conference Final between the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes lead the series 3-1 after 4 games.

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