Mitch Marner’s postseason started off on a high note but ultimately ended in disappointment. In the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, he had plenty of performances, but the stats just weren’t on his side. As we moved into Round 2, it’s worth mentioning that he helped Auston Matthews score in Game 6. Thanks to that, the Toronto Maple Leafs clinched the win, setting up a thrilling Game 7 against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers. So, in that seventh game, Marner really took a hit.

The star forward was even spotted shouting, “Wake the f*** up,” at the Maple Leafs bench. He really didn’t make much of an impact, offering almost nothing on offense, while the Maple Leafs got shut down 6–1. This loss hit their playoff hopes hard and put Marner’s postseason reputation in the spotlight. By the end of that series, Marner racked up two goals and 11 assists over 13 playoff games. However, this was kind of overshadowed by the Maple Leafs not being able to finish the series and Marner’s struggle to make a mark in that crucial elimination game.

In the end, things wrapped up on a bit of a down note for him in his last year wearing a Toronto jersey. It had a lot of people wondering if the impact he had during the regular season would really hold up when it was crunch time. On June 30, the Maple Leafs pulled off a sign-and-trade deal: Marner inked an eight-year, $96 million contract with Toronto, but then he was quickly traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in return for Nicolas Roy.

Now that things are calming down, according to the NHL’s report, Marner shared his thoughts on finding a new hockey home in Vegas, saying, “This was a spot that was very high on my list. I wanted to come here. Kind of went back to my agent and said, ‘I’m open to doing this if we can find a way to do it.’ A couple hours later, we had a deal going on. Very fortunate. This is the place we want to be. We don’t want to lose that opportunity.”

The Golden Knights have really created a winning culture, and he loved the family vibe he heard about from former teammates like Max Pacioretty and Ryan Reaves. Plus, he saw a great fit for his wife and baby boy, not to mention the attractive contract, of course.

For Marner, it wasn’t just about getting away from the pressure in Toronto; it was more about teaming up with a solid group that has already shown they can compete and setting himself up to go after the Stanley Cup. But, you know, leaving Toronto really hit him hard emotionally.

Mitch Marner left a place he called home once

Mitch Marner’s exit from Toronto was really emotional, and you could feel it in everything he said. In his farewell letter on Instagram, he shared, “Leaving isn’t easy. This city is where I grew up, where I fell in love with hockey, and where I’ve had the incredible honor of living out my childhood dream. Wearing the Maple Leaf on my chest wasn’t just about playing for a team; it was about representing my home.” His link to Toronto went beyond just work—he felt that wearing the Maple Leaf was like representing his home, which made saying goodbye really hit home.

Marner opened up about how much it means to him and the pressure he feels from not being able to bring a Stanley Cup to his hometown. He also mentioned, “When I was drafted, all I wanted was to help bring a Stanley Cup to Toronto. That was always the goal, and I came up short. I know how much this team means to this city, and I know the expectations that come with wearing this jersey. I gave everything I had, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. That’s hard to admit, because I wanted it so badly for all of us.” Marner felt a sense of regret, not for himself, but for the city and the fans he always wanted to make proud.

Turning to the fans, he added an honest expression of gratitude and respect, stating, “To the fans: thank you. Playing in Toronto is special because of you. Over the last nine seasons, I have felt it all: the passion, the pride, the hope, the pressure, and the support. You care deeply, and I never took that for granted.” Basically, Marner’s thoughts showed that leaving wasn’t just about his job—it marked the close of a significant part of his life.