Victor Hedman pulled out the ol' Beetlejuice card when it came to the Toronto Maple Leafs before Monday's matchup. All he did was mention Mitch Marner's name, especially after he left Toronto for the Vegas Golden Knights during the summer. What exactly did the superstar defenseman say that left the Maple Leafs burnt like overcooked toast?
Victor Hedman ahead of tonight’s matchup against Toronto
— Anna Dua (@AnnaNoelleDua) December 8, 2025
“We haven’t seen them without Mitch so that will be interesting to see”
The Swedish defenseman has been relatively quiet point-wise, only registering 12 assists this season. However, the Lightning haven't: Tampa Bay currently leads the Atlantic Division with 34 points with a record of 16-10-2. As for Toronto? They have 30 points and a record of 13-11-4, leaving them... out of a playoff spot.
But what about Marner, you ask? He has five goals and 22 assists this season, falling just short of the point-per-game mark. However, like the Lightning, the Golden Knights are cruising with a playoff spot and four straight victories. Life's good for the former "Core Four" member, especially with Vegas suddenly picking up steam.
Vegas Golden Knights fans can get a good laugh from Hedman taking a subtle jab at the Toronto Maple Leafs
Golden Knights fans have heard it all during the offseason from Toronto. They've heard the "tampering" accusations fly around and have seen Maple Leafs fans go full-Cleveland like Marner was LeBron (only without the flopping). That's why the latest comments from the Swedish defenseman are relatively funny.
First, the Maple Leafs look like the scorned lover in this situation, especially since they're out of a playoff spot. They've seen superstars like Auston Matthews go down in a heap, leaving them without many options. Ironically, Vegas has been dealt the same hand, yet it has fared much better.
Losing big names like Adin Hill and William Karlsson hasn't fazed the team as much as people thought it would. Instead, Bruce Cassidy's club has adapted, coming close to the Pacific Division's top spot. You can't say the same for the Maple Leafs, especially as they enter Monday's matchup against the Lightning looking up in the Atlantic Division.
If you're Marner, you're just laughing in $12 million AAV. You're living a cozy life in Las Vegas, playing with superstars like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone. Life's good and the practices are loose and vibrant, leaving you to look back on life in Toronto with a simple laugh.