Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Mitch Marner appeared in his first game as a Vegas Golden Knight, and yes, Leafs fans are talking.Stepping on the ice since signing an eight-year contract extension in a sign-and-trade following a highly publicized split, Mitch Marner was ready to move on in his debut with Vegas against the Los Angeles Kings.In his first game with the Vegas Golden Knights, former Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner netted two assists as he built an instant chemistry with fellow star forward Jack Eichel, himself no stranger to the scorn of a vengeful franchise back in Buffalo.Marner and Eichel combined for six points on a line with Ivan Barbashev, with the trio having 11 shots, including three from Marner in 22:48 of ice time, but couldn’t get the win.
But the one moment taking note isn’t that performance after 60 minutes, it’s a shootout miss that turned a Vegas 5-3 lead into a comeback 6-5 win for Los Angeles.
Leafs fans had a lot to say, and many of them were ready to get in their blows on their former forward, a bitterness that has been boiling even before he left Toronto.
Marner Shines Offensively but Misses the Defining Moment
Mitch Marner’s first game as a Vegas Golden Knight overall had gone mostly well, but his one major moment of struggle has been one that Leafs fans have made the most focus on. Marner was statistically the Knights second best player last night, but a shootout goal is what is gaining the most focus in the end.
For certain fans who claim to not miss Marner and wish to move on, such being the case has not happened, and despite criticism of the Toronto media’s constant discussions over Marner, sometimes overshadowing the Leafs, some fans are guilty of partaking in the same.
Regardless of Toronto’s win, it nevertheless brought glee to Leafs diehards seeing Marner lose elsewhere, about as much pleasure as a Toronto win can bring at that.
It’s a similar scenario as the constant mockery that still falls upon former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, who many point to as what went wrong with Toronto during his tenure, paying a hefty price for his stars, including Marner, and preferring to have size over strength.
Like a spurred lover who watches their partner move on, angered over what should have been, many Leafs fans have taken pleasure in seeing Marner struggle, a revenge fantasy of some sorts for what is viewed as betrayal.
It’s not to say that the Marner situation did not make the former Leaf look at his best, despite him claiming to still have love for Toronto, to think that the Leafs won and there’s discussion over Marner missing a shootout attempt shows a bruised ego.
The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t see Mitch Marner until January 15th, but as much as they’ll deny it, fans will be watching his every move.
Golden Knights Fall Despite Strong Showing From Their New Star Duo
Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner have shown the two can work well, but they need to be able to put things together and win. The lucky thing for the Golden Knights is they have at least 81 more chances to do so.
Leafs fans can be upset that Marner seemed disinterested in a reunion with Toronto, and for his playoff performances, two valid issues, but to care about his every move comes off as an obsession, especially sadder given it’s coming off a Leafs win (and the Jays too).
Did Leafs fans not mock Islanders fans for their animosity towards John Tavares when he left Long Island for Toronto? Was it not joked as ridiculous how fans still had resentment towards their former captain? The answer is yes.
Does it matter to the Leafs that Marner misses a goal? Does it matter if Kyle Dubas makes a trade for Pittsburgh that doesn’t work out? If it doesn’t involve the Leafs, it shouldn’t.
Yes, it was tiring the constant Marner talk, even as he left, but If Leafs fans are going to be talking and scrutinizing every mistake Marner makes, they can’t complain when the media brings up Marner as well. The supply wouldn’t come without demand.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans are in the beginnings of a new era, and a new look, the fans can obsess over old love and imagine the happy life they could and should have had together, or they can embrace the new and forget about a player that only months earlier, fans said they did not need.
Let Vegas focus on what they do, and Toronto fans focused on what they do. But like in Toronto, Knights fans will want to see their star player’s chances not go to waste.
The Leafs are focused on winning games and the Stanley Cup, for the fans, the same mentality should be the goal. Marner is gone, allegedly the team is better for it, and it’s time to start acting like it, at least while he’s not on the opposing side.
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Mitch Marner Falls Short in Big Moment as Golden Knights Lose Home Opener
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