Boy, it seems like Toronto Maple Leafs fans can't catch a break these days. They enter Tuesday's slate of games outside of the Eastern Conference playoff race at 45. They are also getting tons of flak from hockey fans over their fumbling of Mitch Marner. Did I mention that the Maple Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1967?
Yeah, it seems like Maple Leafs fans catch strays wherever they go. Not even Chicago Cubs fans have any sympathy for them (and they've waited 108 YEARS for a World Series!).
Among those administering these strays is Brad Marchand, who laid into the Maple Leafs fanbase for running Vegas Golden Knights superstar Mitch Marner out of town. Chris Johnston told everything about the Golden Knights star and how Marchand believes that Maple Leafs fans chased him out of town.
Brad Marchand says the #leafs play the right way now, when compared to the past, but adds: "It's unfortunate the fans ran Marner out of town. I mean that's a huge impact on their group. He's a point per game player, that hurts."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 6, 2026
Marchand also mentioned that it came down to Toronto and Florida regarding his offseason choice. The Panthers ultimately won out because *drumroll, please*...
...They had a better cap situation. Who'da thunk, eh?
This should brighten up the days of sullen Golden Knights fans everywhere. Sure, things look murky for Vegas, which has lost eight of its last nine games entering Tuesday. But if everyone's favorite rat gives the Maple Leafs a mean ol' right hook, you can't help but smile at his little quip.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans continue to catch strays over the Mitch Marner debacle
Let me ask you a question, dear reader. Would you rather be in first place in a division or be out of playoff contention by January? Better yet, would you prefer to be in sunny Las Vegas and avoid the white stuff or be in Toronto and get seasonal depression every year?
Personally, I'd rather have the former every time. That's especially true with the Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup in 2023, instantly adding some attractive appeal. Things might be tough (and a bit unusual) for Vegas right now. But hey, a Stanley Cup in 2023 beats a Stanley Cup in 1967, right?
Better yet, when was the last time the Maple Leafs made an Eastern Conference Final? Well, we have to go back to 2002, when they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games. Man, the Golden Knights weren't even a single thought at the time, let alone the idea of playing hockey in Las Vegas. Ironically, the Golden Knights entered the NHL and made four semifinal appearances.
Heck, they squeezed two Stanley Cup Final appearances in their nine seasons of merely existing. Gee, I wonder what set of circumstances Mitch Marner would choose, eh? Certainly, it couldn't be the hawkish media in Ontario that scared him to Sin City. Oh, wait, it was!
Regardless, Brad Marchand told no lies about Marner leaving the Maple Leafs for the Golden Knights. Again, the situation in Vegas is a tad dire with the slew of injuries and underachieving play. But I guarantee you that the new Golden Knights winger would choose quiet Nevada over the noise in Ontario every time. That's especially true since he's carrying over his production from his Toronto days.