Analyst Calls Out 'Revisionist History' in Marner Exit Narrative

In a widely shared tweet, Bourne wrote:

“Re: Marner stuff: whatever happened post-FLA loss can’t be billed as ‘the reason he left Toronto.’ Was long gone by then. … Deserves sympathy for treatment by outlier idiot fans for sure. But let’s not retcon it all.”

Bourne’s comment ignited a fiery thread of reactions from Leafs fans. Many echoed his sentiment, suggesting that Marner had mentally checked out of Toronto long before the second-round exit. One fan pointed to reports that Marner had waived his no-move clause for a trade to Vegas at the deadline, only blocking a deal to Carolina, while another claimed he was already “talking to Vegas players about living there” during the Four Nations tournament.

Others agreed with Bourne but not the excuse that Marner was turned off by unruly and over-emotional fans. Instead, they argued that family considerations played a bigger role than fan criticism. “When his son was born, that’s when he started thinking about what his future looked like,” one commenter suggested. That’s likely true, as Marner did hint at his family being a priority in his decision-making.

Still, not everyone bought Bourne’s take. Some supported Marner, suggesting no one should have to go through what he did. Even if they didn’t like the way he came across — some accused Marner’s camp of “brand damage control,” calling his recent interviews a calculated attempt to win sympathy — the idea that he should have had to put up with someone posting his address online and receiving death threats is not remotely acceptable behavior.

However, as more and more people like Bourne say their piece, others are finding Marner just isn’t as believable as another player might be in the same situation. “This whole ‘woe is me’ shtick is pathetic,” one frustrated fan wrote.

Most now believe that Marner’s decision to leave wasn’t sudden. This is something that had been stewing in his mind for some time, and despite what he says, some fans just aren’t ready to buy. He didn’t have one foot out the door for a while.