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Former Maple Leaf Legend Slams Mitch Marner for Failing to Deliver in Toronto

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 15, 2025 10:27 PM ET

Mitch Marner has been a punching bag in the NHL world since the Maple Leafs Game 5 loss, and now a Toronto legend has piled on with his latest comments.

Game 5 against the Florida Panthers was an all time low moment for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, and with the team now facing a 3-2 deficit against their bitter rivals, another loss would be an organizational failure.

Unfortunately for Mitch Marner, given that he's one of the teams highest paid players, he's taken the brunt of the criticism, especially when he is making plays like this in his own end in one of the biggest games the franchise have played in decades.

Unsurprisingly, that's led to plenty of criticism, with Maple Leafs legend Rick Vavie not holding back in his feelings about Marner, as he's suggested that if the team lose this series, they should move on from him in free agency.

Hey, I think he's a hell of a player who has averaged 90 to 100 points every year. But the bottom line, if the Leafs lose this series to Florida, is that you have to look at everything.
Now you have Mitch coming up on a new contract and he wants his turn at big money, around $13 million US a year. But if you're running the Leafs, you have to think 'what else could we spend that money on?'

Sure, he's fantastic in the regular season, but when it matters most under the spotlight of the big city in Toronto and the loyal, dedicated fans, he has failed time and time again, and while some fans take the criticism too far, it's safe to say that it's been well earned at this point.

Ultimately, Toronto have now lost three straight games where their big names have failed to fire, and with Marner set for free agency, don't be shocked if the Maple Leafs don't even make him an offer after this post-season performance.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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