Mitch Marner speaks out after the Leafs stripped Tavares of the C

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Austin Sabourin
August 15, 2024 (11:34 PM)

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Mitch Marner has finally broken the silence after the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to strip the captaincy away from John Tavares and give it to Auston Matthews.

Yesterday the Toronto Maple Leafs made a major move that surprised many, by taking away the captaincy from John Tavares and naming Auston Matthews the 26th captain in franchise history. Mitch Marner and other Leafs players and executives were on hand for the announcement.

Following the Maple Leafs exit from the playoffs, Mitch Marner was involved in a bunch of trade rumours, after yet another bad playoff performance and it being his final year on his deal. During the press conference Marner spoke on the situation a bit.

"I'm not going to get into that too much today," Marner explained while keeping the focus on Matthews and Tavares. "I'm just going to say I love being here, I've said that from Day 1. I'm very fortunate and lucky to be a Maple Leaf.

"Today is about these two amazing people."

Marner also touched on the photo that surfaced on social media of him and new head coach Craig Berube meeting at a coffee shop that went viral:

«Craig has been awesome. That one was pretty funny to get out, a little coffee shop in Etobicoke, and there were only a couple of people in there,» Marner recalled. «It's been great talking to him all summer. We're excited for this year, we're excited to get it going. He's been a joyful new mind and we're excited to play under him.»

Marner has also been a great player for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the regular season, but has struggled in the playoffs, and many fans believe that the $10.9 million cap hit he takes up could be used better to fill other needs.

As seen on: Hockeyfeed -
Mitch Marner breaks silence after major Leafs leadership change