Maple Leafs Matthews on Marner Departure: “We’ll Miss Him
- The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering a new era following a notable offseason move.
- speaking to reporters in Brampton on Wednesday, August 20th, while attending a hockey game fundraiser hosted by Mayor patrick Brown, Leafs captain Auston Matthews acknowledged the emotional impact...
- While acknowledging the difficulty of losing a key player, Matthews emphasized the inherent nature of player movement in professional hockey.
Matthews Addresses Marner Trade, Looks Ahead to New Leafs Season
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A New Chapter for the Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering a new era following a notable offseason move. Star forward Mitch Marner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade deal on July 1, 2025, a transaction that has prompted reflection from teammates and fans alike.In return for Marner, the leafs acquired forward Nicolas Roy, as reported by CP24.
speaking to reporters in Brampton on Wednesday, August 20th, while attending a hockey game fundraiser hosted by Mayor patrick Brown, Leafs captain Auston Matthews acknowledged the emotional impact of Marner’s departure. “We’ll obviously miss him. He’s a great friend, great teammate,” Matthews stated.
Accepting the Business of Hockey
While acknowledging the difficulty of losing a key player, Matthews emphasized the inherent nature of player movement in professional hockey. ”That’s tough but obviously I wish him nothing but the best. We’ll just keep it moving,” he said, recognizing that trades are an unavoidable part of the game’s landscape.
The trade comes after a disappointing playoff run for Toronto, were they were eliminated in the second round by the Florida Panthers, the eventual Stanley Cup champions. This outcome likely contributed to the decision to make significant roster changes during the offseason.
New Faces, Renewed Optimism
Despite the loss of Marner, Matthews expressed excitement about the team’s revamped roster and the upcoming 2025-26 NHL season. The Leafs have been active in acquiring new talent, bringing in forwards Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua, and Michael Pezzetta, and also defenceman Henry Thrun, as detailed in NHL.com.
“I know we got a great team and a great group of guys in the locker rooms. So looking forward to kind of getting started,” Matthews shared. He added, “It’s got to take some steps but I think that’s a good problem to have so really looking forward to it.”