So, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2025 Stanley Cup playoff journey wrapped up with a tough Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers in the second round. The 6-1 loss in Game 7 really summed up Auston Matthews’ team’s struggles in the postseason, highlighting yet another season that ended too soon despite the potential. The last game wrapped up the Leafs’ season and marked the end of an era, really influencing what’s next for star player Mitch Marner.
There were definitely conversations going around in the NHL community after that forward’s intense reaction in Game 7. He really let loose with a shout of “wake the f*** up,” clearly expressing his frustration over the Maple Leafs bench. Just a little over a month later, the key player who had been part of the team for almost ten years was gone, traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade deal that wrapped up his nine-year run in Toronto. Many fans really thought the offseason move was a much-needed change for a team that had hit a wall in its quest for a championship.
Now that Marner’s in Vegas, all eyes are on Auston Matthews and how the captain will guide a revamped roster into the new season, seemingly without the usual pressure of the “Core Four.” But when the team got back together, it was obvious that the past wasn’t going to just fade away. In a media session, Matthews faced a question that really showed just how connected his routine has become with Marner’s. So, on Spittin’ Chiclets’ X post, someone asked him, “You have a habit of pre-game staying out as late as possible, you and Mitch always did. Have you thought about how that will change? Are you going to ask someone to stay out with you or are you going to change things up this year?”
The line of questioning, coming months after the trade, prompted an exasperated response from the Leafs’ captain. “I mean, see what happens I guess,” Matthews replied. “You’ve got two more weeks and then we’re done with these questions.”
Matthews’ comment highlighted that moving on involves not just getting used to a new lineup on the ice but also dealing with a media landscape that keeps bringing up a partnership that’s officially over. But when the Toronto media asked that question, it really sparked a lot of backlash from fans who rallied behind their captain.
Defending Auston Matthews from the Toronto Media
It’s been months since the Mitch Marner trade, but the Toronto media keeps asking the same questions again and again. This has been frustrating for Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, and fans on social media are getting pretty annoyed too, stepping up to defend the NHL star. Charging at the media, this comment read, “The Toronto news media is a cesspool.” Another fan chimed in, saying, “So he should be, Toronto media has nothing better to talk about.”
When the news broke about Marner being traded to Vegas, Matthews mentioned that the Maple Leafs would “obviously miss” him, describing Marner as a “great friend, great teammate.” He also pointed out that “that’s kind of the business side of it” and emphasized that the team has to “keep it moving.” Yeah, the captain has really addressed a bunch of questions about his old teammate. With all those questions stacking up after so many months, it’s no surprise he reacted that way to the media.
This fan echoed Matthews’ thoughts, saying, “He’s pretty generous, just cut em off already, find a new storyline, god why are reporters so f***ing lazy.” Another fan sent a direct message to Toronto media, saying, “Why do they need to talk about Marner dude is gone get over it lol.” Looks like even Marner has moved past the whole trade talk.
“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 former Maple Leafs forward shared after joining the Golden Knights.
However, this comment really highlights how the fans connect with their captain, saying, “That’s a Captain setting the tone.” The trade has clearly failed to erase the past for Matthews, who remains the primary target for a media cycle still obsessed with a departed teammate. His immediate reply feels like a captain trying to wrap things up quickly, but it also shows just how tough it is to move on with all the pressure from Toronto hanging over him.