Maple Leafs: Mitch Marner calls out media, while Auston Matthews defends his teammate
Anthony Scultore
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Mitch Marner deleted all social media apps before the start of the playoffs. That’s a smart thing by itself, making him fairly unaware of criticism hurled his way. However, he did get wind of a story that claimed he won’t play certain roles on the power play.
Mitch Marner calls out the media over false story
“It’s a complete lie,” Marner vehemently stated about the false story. “My agent called me and told me about that. I don’t know who put that story out there. It’s just people trying to get their name out there – make themselves noticeable.” The beleaguered forward said that he would play any role on the power play the team wanted, including not playing it at all. Marner stressed he only cares about winning.
“It sucks that stuff like that is being said,” he concluded. “But not surprised at the same time.”
Marner struggled mightily these playoffs with a very long postseason goal drought. He finished with just four assists in seven games while averaging 24:43 of ice time per game. He also had a key puck over the glass penalty that cost the team a goal. To be fair, Marner was working he just failed to produce.
Auston Matthews defends teammate, brushes off trade talk
This year’s Rocket Richard winner only had one goal this entire playoffs and has been the focus of fan heat. When it came to his teammate Marner and the idea of a trade, he dismissed it.
“I don’t make much of that to be honest,” Matthews dismissed. “That’s just something no one in this room thinks about. It’s noise coming from the outside. You guys have fun with that.”
Matthews went on to say that everyone on the team loves him. He called him an “unbelievable player and unbelievable teammate.” He also does not believe that management wants to break up the big four on the team.
Team president, Brendan Shanahan did promise change. However, it’s seems that neither Matthews, Marner, John Tavares, or William Nylander will be moved.