Hockey writer Kevin McGran didn’t hold back when discussing Mitch Marner’s explanation for leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs.
McGran, who wrote Auston Matthews’ biography, called the former winger’s recent comments about Toronto’s spotlight and media pressure in that hockey market the “lamest excuse on the planet.”
Marner, traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on July 1, told TSN in August that threats from frustrated fans and the leaking of his family’s home address online contributed to his decision to leave his hometown team, while he faced steady criticism from the media covering the Leafs in Toronto’s hockey market.
Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, later said Marner’s family hired private security after receiving death threats following the Maple Leafs’ playoff loss to the Florida Panthers.
“I think it’s the lamest excuse on the planet.” 👀
Big shoutout to @kevin_mcgran for joining us on the latest pod! #SDP #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/nLAPgbuAS2
— sdpn (@sdpnsports) October 18, 2025
McGran, author of “Auston Matthews: A Life in Hockey,” questioned the validity of Marner’s reasoning during an appearance on “The Steve Dangle Podcast” on Friday.
“I think it’s the lamest excuse on the planet,” McGran said. “And I don’t know where exactly it comes from. I don’t really think it comes from the players or their agents at all.”
McGran argued that other stars in major markets face similar scrutiny without using it as a reason to leave or spin narratives.
“I think it’s almost fan-induced,” McGran said. “It never seems to bother the Yankees all those years in the biggest market, or the Dodgers right now. It doesn’t bother players at Wimbledon.”
Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) and current Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (34) during a stoppage of play.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
McGran also suggested that Marner’s reaction was amplified by people close to him feeding negative commentary.
“Mitch would say ‘the media,’ and it’s like, ‘us,’” McGran said. “I don’t remember saying anything. He had so many people around him telling him what people were saying. The guys from Toronto probably do have more people feeding them the bad stuff.”
Marner’s decision ended nearly a decade in Toronto, where he was often the focal point of public frustration, mostly because of his excellent regular-season play, which was always followed by a steady stream of playoff failures and early postseason exits.
Now in Vegas (4-0-2), the 28-year-old has six assists and two goals through six games, while the Maple Leafs have started 3–2–1 without him.
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