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Brad Marchand believes Leafs fans ‘ran Marner out of town’ following Game 7
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Jan 6, 2026, 12:33 ESTUpdated: Jan 6, 2026, 12:32 EST
Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand offered some candid thoughts per usual, prior to Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Marchand and the Panthers eliminated the Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the second round last season. Afterwards, Marchand spoke candidly about the Toronto market, and how the fan base are needlessly harsh towards players. Marchand doubled down on this sentiment prior to Tuesday’s game.
“It’s unfortunate the fans ran (Mitch) Marner out of town. I mean that’s a huge impact on their group,” Marchand said Tuesday. “He’s a point per game player, that hurts. They’re a great team.”
Marner was booed off the ice during Game 7 against the Panthers. Marchand added insult to injury during his post-game media availability, squaring the blame on the Leafs’ fan base.
After the season ended, the Maple Leafs traded Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for centre Nicolas Roy.
“I think if you look at the heat this team catches, it’s actually really unfortunate,” Marchand said following Game 7. “They’ve been working at building something really big here for awhile, and they were a different brand of hockey this year, and they’re getting crucified, and I don’t think it’s justified just because they weren’t able to do it. We’re a really good and deep team too, and that’s how things go sometimes.”
Marchand was considered one of the marquee free agents last summer. Ahead of the free agency frenzy, Marchand responded to The Leafs Nation’s Instagram page, after Nick Kypreos appeared on Leafs Morning Take on June 20, stating that the veteran forward would almost certainly be joining the Leafs, teasing a potential signing. Marchand then signed a six-year deal with the Panthers, mocking the Leafs in the process.
“It was between Florida and Toronto. I never thought it was even possible to re-sign with Florida, I really didn’t,” Marchand said Tuesday, citing the Panthers’ limited cap space.
Marchand previously spoke glowingly about the Maple Leafs, prior to a December 2 game. Toronto emerged with a 4-1 victory.
“With the media attention and the fan support in Toronto, things get blown way out of proportion up there,” Marchand said. “They definitely don’t think that in the room. What are they? Four points out of a playoff spot? If people are thinking they’re out of a playoff spot for the season, they have to find a new job.”
Marchand is one of the greatest villains in Maple Leafs franchise history and through his candid commentary, he may have inflamed another sore subject for the Blue and White.
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