Marchand Blasts Fans As He Confirms Near Maple Leafs Signing

Brad Marchand gave Toronto fans plenty to chew on Tuesday. While confirming that he nearly signed with the Maple Leafs, he then stabbed the fan base and twisted the knife, suggesting he was happy to avoid the drama and anti-Mitch Marner fans who ran the former Leafs’ superstar out of town.

Ahead of the Florida Panthers’ visit to face the Maple Leafs, Marchand revealed he came far closer to signing in Toronto than most fans ever realized. According to the veteran forward, his free agency decision last summer came down to just two teams: Florida and Toronto.

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“It was between Florida and Toronto where I was going to go,” Marchand said, admitting he didn’t believe re-signing with the Panthers would be possible because of their cap situation. In the end, Florida made it work, locking him up on a six-year deal worth $5.25 million per season.

That alone would’ve been headline-worthy. Marchand wasn’t done.

Asked about the Leafs’ current direction, he pointed directly at the fan base — and Mitch Marner’s departure — as a major reason for Toronto’s struggles.

“It’s unfortunate the fans ran Marner out of town,” Marchand said. “That’s a huge impact on their group. He’s a point-per-game player. That hurts.”

Did Marchand Have Anything Nice to Say About the Maple Leafs?

Marchand did add that Toronto “plays the right way now” compared to past versions of the team, but the message was clear: losing Marner left a void that isn’t easily replaced. That he’s not with the club today and remains with the Panthers is probably a huge relief. It sounds like he feels he avoided making a pretty big mistake.

Marchand has made a career out of irritating Toronto, and even in a Panthers jersey — fresh off a Stanley Cup — he hasn’t lost his touch.

Toronto almost signed its longtime antagonist. Instead, it got another reminder of what walked out the door — and who never walked in.

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