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Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon rips Toronto fans for how they treated Mitch Marner: 'Get over it'

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Skyler Walker
May 29, 2026  (2:35 PM)
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May 22, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) warms up before a game against the Colorado Avalanche before game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena.
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Mitch Marner got a blunt defense from John Tortorella's Golden Knights, and Kelly McCrimmon made sure Toronto heard every word.

Marner is headed to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time, and that alone was always going to stir up old emotions around the Maple Leafs market.

But McCrimmon didn't lean into the noise. He pushed back on the idea that Marner suddenly found another level only after leaving Toronto.

«He's been really good all year,» McCrimmon said. That was the starting point, and it framed everything else that followed.

The bigger point was that Marner's season in Vegas wasn't supposed to be measured only against the 102 points he posted last year in Toronto.

McCrimmon argued the role changed, and so did the job description.

«When you compare what he had in Toronto, 102 points last year, he didn't have 102 points with us.... there's more things that go into winning that just the goals and the assists,» said McCrimmon.

McCrimmon turns the pressure back on Toronto

He pointed to the stretch when Marner moved to center while William Karlsson was out, using that as proof the winger gave Vegas more than offense. That's the kind of playoff framing Toronto fans know well.

Then McCrimmon took the conversation where it always seems to end with the Leafs: roster construction, depth, and who carries the heat when the puck gets heavy in May.

«My own opinion is we have a deeper team,» said McCrimmon. «When you get to the playoffs everybody has to take a turn.»

He didn't stop there either. «

When it comes down to 2 or 3 or 4 players being responsible for your team to advance to the next round, that's a stiff challenge,» said McCrimmon. «That's a tough way to win.»

That lands as a direct shot at the old Toronto formula, where Marner was often one of the first names dragged into the spotlight when the team came up short.

And for anyone still bitter now that Marner is winning elsewhere, McCrimmon saved his hardest line for last.

«I know it's Toronto, I know it's Mitch Marner, I know it's polarizing, but for me it's a little bit about the guy's ex girlfriend moving away and doing well,» said McCrimmon. «At some point you gotta get over it.»

Previously
Boston doctors just made a heartbreaking announcement following the death of Claude Lemieux at age 60
Arber Xhekaj is at the center of a major confirmation that has Canadiens fans talking before Game 5
A former Canadiens player just sent a massive message to Martin St-Louis before game time
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2 HOURS AGO   |   88 ANSWERS
Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon rips Toronto fans for how they treated Mitch Marner: 'Get over it'

Did Kelly McCrimmon just say what Toronto fans did not want to hear about Mitch Marner ?

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▢    No
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MAY 27, 2026
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 Logan Stankoven 1 - 1
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