Marner treated unfairly as Maple Leaf, Eichel says...
Key takeaways
- Anybody that has negative or bad things to say about him, obviously I disagree with, because I think highly of him."
- Marner is the leading scorer in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (21 points in 16 games) and a driving force behind the Golden Knights' third trip to the Stanley Cup Final in franchise history.
- Marner said hearing constant criticism in Toronto became "a real mental grind" and affected him physically.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Anybody that has negative or bad things to say about him, obviously I disagree with, because I think highly of him."
Marner is the leading scorer in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (21 points in 16 games) and a driving force behind the Golden Knights' third trip to the Stanley Cup Final in franchise history. His performance stands in stark contrast with his reputation during nine seasons in Toronto, where his postseason struggles made him a symbol of the Maple Leafs' playoff failures.
Marner said hearing constant criticism in Toronto became "a real mental grind" and affected him physically. He was traded ahead of unrestricted free agency last summer to Vegas, where he's in the first year of an eight-year contract. Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon said his team has given Marner a chance to thrive.