Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand gives his take on Mitch Marner leaving Toronto Maple Leafs

Brad Marchand knows how to get under the skin of Toronto Maple Leafs fans. The Florida Panthers forward made comments Tuesday before facing the Leafs that are guaranteed to rile up the fanbase once again.

Speaking to the media before the game, Marchand revealed his free agency decision last summer came down to two teams. Toronto and Florida were his final choices, with the Panthers ultimately winning out after his Stanley Cup victory changed everything.

Brad Marchand namedrops Mitch Marner as he puts entire blame on Maple Leafs fans

That revelation alone would have been enough to frustrate Leafs fans wondering what might have been. But Marchand didn't stop there. He proceeded to deliver a classic double-edged compliment that praised the team while criticizing the fans.

Marchand complimented the Maple Leafs organization before shifting to the topic of Mitch Marner's departure to the Vegas Golden Knights. "As a group, they compete the right way," he said of Toronto, before adding his controversial take on Marner. "It's unfortunate the fans ran Marner out of town. That's a huge impact for their group. He's a point-a-game player. That hurts."

Whether Toronto fans actually ran Marner out of town is far from a settled fact. While a small segment of supporters gave Marner a tough time in recent years, arguing that the entire fanbase acted as a group to push him out is questionable at best.

A more compelling argument suggests Marner wanted the high-end money that comes with star status while enjoying the relative anonymity of playing in Las Vegas. The non-traditional market appealed to him after years in the spotlight of hockey's most intense media market.

Marchand's ability to haunt the Maple Leafs extends beyond verbal jabs. Since 2010-11, no NHL player has recorded more points against Toronto in the regular season than Marchand, who has 21 goals and 58 points against them.

His playoff dominance is even more impressive with 13 goals, 24 assists, and five game-winning goals against the Leafs in postseason play. The fact that Marchand signed with Florida for just $5.25 million per season makes the situation even more painful for Toronto.

General manager Brad Treliving could have signed Marchand at that bargain rate and still had cap space remaining from Marner's $10.9 million departure. Instead, Marchand continues doing what he does best against Toronto. Winning games and getting under their fans' skin.


Also Read: Eetu Luostarinen's hit controversy outraged during the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers NHL match


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