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Auston Matthews calls Mitch Marner a ‘friend for life’ but says Maple Leafs have moved on

Originally posted on TheLeafsnation | By Alex Hobson | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 10:38 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting ready to kick off the 2025-26 season, and for the first time since the start of the Auston Matthews era, there’s going to be a vastly different dynamic at training camp.

This is, of course, because Mitch Marner has moved on. He signed an eight-year extension with the Vegas Golden Knights after the Maple Leafs traded his rights there, with forward Nicolas Roy headed back the other way. Marner’s time with the Maple Leafs was chock full of ups and downs, with the tenure unfortunately ending at what felt like rock bottom after the Leafs were once again eliminated in the second round.

Matthews, who had Marner riding shotgun on his line for the vast majority of his time to date with the Maple Leafs, acknowledged that he’ll miss Marner, but is confident in the players they brought in to replace him and is ready to move on.

Auston Matthews on Mitch Marner: He'll be a friend of ours for life. He made his decision and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward and we're moving on. We brought in some faces that we're super excited about. He's going to be a friend for life.

— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) September 17, 2025

It’s going to be a culture shock at first for the Maple Leafs and their fans, and rightfully so. For the past half-decade and beyond, it was always ‘Matthews and Marner’, ‘Marner and Matthews’, the Core Four’. Now, the Leafs have a vastly different dynamic up front. Matthews and William Nylander are expected to carry the load offensively, while their bottom six is rounded out much better and takes some pressure off of the top six to be the ones delivering all the time.

Head coach Craig Berube, in particular, is excited that he’ll never have to hear the words ‘Core Four’ ever again.

It’s a change and we all know that. You know, losing Mitch and bringing in three new players, it’s a little bit of a change here for sure. What excites me is I won’t have to hear Core Four anymore,” Berube joked. “Hopefully I won’t have to hear it from you guys [the media] all season.”

Matthews will more than likely start the season with Matthew Knies stapled to his left side, with Berube hinting that one of Max Domi or Matias Maccelli may get the first look on the top line.

This article first appeared on TheLeafsnation and was syndicated with permission.

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