Mitch Marner, in his first public remarks as a Vegas Golden Knights player, revealed that he spoke with former Toronto Maple Leafs teammates Ryan Reaves and Max Pacioretti about his living situation in late June. This disclosure unsettled some Maple Leafs fans who believed Marner had been away for weeks. While not as upset as they were to learn Marner communicated with a current Vegas player during a four-nation tournament in Canada, fans still expressed displeasure.
Reaves, appearing on Leafs Morning, recorded a podcast with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill where he addressed the criticism directed at him. He shared his viewpoint, noting that he was aware he would be traded, and that Marner was exploring free agency, which was widely known. Reaves emphasized his loyalty to Toronto.
Before Reaves was traded to the San Jose Sharks earlier this month, he also spoke on the Cam & Strick Podcast with Cam Janssen and Andy Strickland. He expressed surprise at how quickly fans linked players to teams in the heat of the Stanley Cup playoffs and explained why he chose to live in Vegas, pointing out the differences between the two cities. Reaves described Vegas as a great place to live, with good weather and a quieter fan base compared to Toronto, and noted he was merely helping a friend.
Reaves was traded to San Jose in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun shortly after his Cam & Strick appearance.
Marner, drafted fourth overall by Toronto in the 2015 NHL Draft, ended his nine-season tenure with his hometown team through a sign-and-trade deal with Vegas, involving Nicolas Roy. He secured an eight-year, $96 million contract with Vegas and left Toronto ranked fifth in franchise history with 741 points (221 goals and 520 assists).
Fan Take: This update highlights the complexities of player movement and loyalty in the NHL, showing that personal connections and career choices often transcend team rivalries. For hockey fans, it underscores how off-ice relationships can influence player decisions and the evolving dynamics within the league.
