Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand blamed Toronto Maple Leafs fans for driving away Mitch Marner during the offseason.
“It’s unfortunate the fans ran Marner out of town. I mean, that’s a huge impact for their group. He’s a point-per-game player. That hurts.”
Marchand made the comments to reporters Tuesday, according to TSN.
The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Marner in a sign-and-trade deal worth eight years and $96 million just before free agency opened.
Marner spent his entire nine-year NHL career in Toronto after the Maple Leafs drafted him in 2015. His 781 points with the franchise rank sixth in team history.
The Markham, Ontario native faced criticism from fans throughout his tenure, particularly after playoff disappointments.
Toronto won just two playoff rounds during Marner’s time with the team. The lack of postseason success made him a target for frustrated supporters.
Marner revealed he needed full-time security at his home for two weeks after someone posted his address online. The incident happened following Toronto’s second-round elimination by Marchand’s Panthers in May.
The 37-year-old Marchand said his own free agency decision came down to “between Florida and Toronto.” He didn’t expect the Panthers to be an option because of their salary cap constraints.
Despite Toronto’s 13th-place standing in the Eastern Conference, Marchand praised how the Maple Leafs are playing this season.
“As a group, the way that they’re competing now, they compete the right way,” Marchand said. “Which is what they kinda had to get over, that hurdle.”
