'He Gave Everything': Former Maple Leaf Gets Real About Mitch Marner's Emotional Goodbye
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Former Maple Leafs and Islanders forward Matt Martin was on the Cam and Strick Podcast and gave his thoughts on Mitch Marner leaving, explaining that as much as he got criticized; he tried his best.
Matt Martin and Mitch Marner were teammates for two seasons, and in that time they grew together not only as members of the Maple Leafs, but as friends.
Martin, the veteran, was willing to take Marner under his wing and mentor him, and it seems that although they were separated soon after, there was still a deep bond between the two.
Well both are gone now, with Marner dealt to Vegas in a sign-and-trade and Martin has long since been a member of the team.
Matt Martin gives Mitch Marner his flowers
Retiring at the end of the 2024-25 season, then taking an executive role with the Islanders right after, Martin is going to use his knowledge to help GM Mathieu Darche make some pretty important hockey decisions.
But he still took time to give some praise to Marner. Speaking on the Cam and Strick Podcast, Martin revealed the relationship he had with the former Leafs star and explained he really was all for the team:
I think Vegas is going to be a great situation for him. Just kind of a totally different market, really good team. He's kind of got that Vegas flair to him, too. But I know he loved the Leafs.
He loved the Leafs, playing for the Leafs, and he really wanted to get the job done there. It didn't work out and that's the end of it now.
He loved the Leafs, playing for the Leafs, and he really wanted to get the job done there. It didn't work out and that's the end of it now.
As frustrated as Marner was that he couldn't get it done, fans were equally or even more upset at the way he conducted himself before his departure, and got quickly tired of the same old excuses and tired, repeated comments.
Fans a huge reason Mitch Marner skipped town: Matt Martin
It's that criticism though that Martin believes was a catalyst that drove Marner out of town, but mentioned he wasn't the only one to blame:
Ultimately, I think he poured his heart into everything. I do believe that. I think he really wore it.
He took a lot of criticism when they didn't get the job done. And with making that kind of money, all those guys are going to get extreme criticism for not getting the job done, that's part of it.
He took a lot of criticism when they didn't get the job done. And with making that kind of money, all those guys are going to get extreme criticism for not getting the job done, that's part of it.
Granted, he has a point considering the other stars didn't really pop off either, but Marner gets the brunt of it due to his seemingly lackadaisical attitude, and his constant complaining about money was just exhausting for all sides to deal with.
Martin's tenure in Toronto was both good and bad. He had a solid first season but he also was a scratch a majority of his second season, and was frustrated with the lack of playing time.
He was re-acquired by the Islanders once Lou Lamoriello was in charge, and coincidentally right after he left Toronto.
But it seems that Martin had no issues with Mitch Marner leaving for sunny Las Vegas.
Though, if the Golden Knights star forward torches the Islanders; maybe Martin will have to start considering him an enemy.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 25 | 2193 ANSWERS 'He Gave Everything': Former Maple Leaf Gets Real About Mitch Marner's Emotional Goodbye Do you think Mitch Marner gets a bad rap from Leafs fans? | ||
| Yes | 1173 | 53.5 % |
| No | 1020 | 46.5 % |
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