What to know
- Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews says he has “had enough” questions about former teammate Mitch Marner.
- Marner left the Leafs in 2024, and now plays for the Vegas Golden Knights.
- The Leafs and the Golden Knights face off again in Toronto next week.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans are reacting after Auston Matthews refused to answer a question about former teammate Mitch Marner.
On Thursday, before the Leafs and the Golden Knights’ game in Las Vegas, Matthews declined to comment on seeing Marner across the ice.
“I didn’t look over. I think I’ve had enough of the Mitch questions for the day,” Matthews told TSN’s Mark Masters.
Auston Matthews has had enough of the Mitch Marner chatter ahead of the Leafs/Golden Knights matchup… 👀 pic.twitter.com/guu5jJQwR9
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 16, 2026
Some say Master’s question was uncalled for.
“No fan wants to see Matthews agitated nor needs this answer, especially at that moment,” an X user wrote.
Many are also praising Matthews’ response.
“100% love & respect his reply here. Just f***in’ let us play hockey,” an X user wrote.
Good response. Enough of the same questions over and over.
— Edna Garrett (@WatchMyReview) January 16, 2026
Meanwhile, post-game Marner says Matthews is “like family”.
“He’s a really close friend of mine and a guy that I can shoot any kind of questions and always get a reply,” Marner told TSN in the locker room.
Mitch Marner comments on what it was like playing against Auston Matthews. pic.twitter.com/Qkdf0sOlwK
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 16, 2026
Leafs fans say questions related to Marner and his departure from the team have become redundant, given that it’s been over six months since the 28-year-old left the Great White North for Sin City.
Marner was traded to the Golden Knights last June with an eight-year contract, ending his tenure with the Leafs.
“Truth is who cares? Marner is adjusting to a new life, new city, new team, new teammates,” an X user wrote. “Give the guy a break.”
“Like seriously enough already! He made his choice. He left the team. Move on,” another wrote.
But some Leafs fans made it obvious they had not moved on, booing Marner on his home ice last night. It was the second time he was facing his former team in nine nights.
The boos are out for Mitch Marner from the Maple Leafs fans in Vegas 👀 pic.twitter.com/8aYbEpfHV3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 16, 2026
“[The leafs] travel well, they always have, they’ve got a passionate fan base,” Marner said of Leafs fans. “They’ve got a passionate fan base who have a lot of love for their team.”
The Leafs face the Golden Knights again, at Scotiabank Arena on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. EST.
