Auston Matthews Shares Honest Thoughts on Mitch Marner's Exit
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Auston Matthews spoke publicly for the first time on Mitch Marner's departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Prior to tonight's charity match in Brampton for 'Hockey Night In Brampton', Matthews spoke to reporters and finally provided his view on the Leafs loss of Mitch Marner.
The charity event, which is raising money for the William Osler Health System Foundation, was also a chance for fans to see Matthews for the first time since the Leafs Game 7 playoffs loss to the Florida Panthers.
Marner, who was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade, spent nine seasons with Matthews, both having played their entire career together with the Leafs.
Speaking on losing his longtime teammate, Matthews told David Alter of 'The Hockey News' that the departure of Marner was difficult from point a team and personal standpoint, but it's a loss the Leafs will have to move on from going into next season.
We'll obviously miss him. He's a great friend, great teammate. That's kind of the business side of it. That's tough, but obviously I wish him nothing but the best, and yeah, we've just got to keep it moving - Auston Matthews
The comments are the first made by Matthews on Marner leaving Toronto, but shows an understanding for his longtime teammate's decision.
Why Matthews Calls Marner More Than Just a Teammate
Having spent their entire pro career together, Auston Matthews has nothing but good things to say about Mitch Marner.
Both coming into the league as young, promising forwards, both Matthews and Marner had blossomed in Toronto to become two of the top players in the NHL, and has worked out as one of the best center/wing duo's while together.
While the response to Marner leaving has drawn a mixed reaction from Leafs fans, within the organization comes easy to find those with positive words to say about Mitch, even for those who may have felt slighted by his move, and how it played out.
For Matthews, he has kept positive and has focused on the team's ability to move past the loss of Marner and rebuild the team into a contender.
The Loss of Marner has been a move that, as expected, has come with challenges. Leafs GM Brad Treliving had been firm in stating the team's belief in finding a suitable replacement for Marner, but have struggled to find the right piece this offseason, with their top-six addition so far having been acquiring Matias Maccelli from Utah.
