When a star player leaves a storied franchise like the Toronto Maple Leafs, the ripples are felt far beyond the locker room.

Mitch Marner’s high-profile departure this off-season sent shockwaves through the hockey world, but the drama didn’t end there.

As fans eagerly awaited the new season, a fresh controversy erupted—this time, sparked by a brief but revealing moment in the trailer for ‘Faceoff: Inside the NHL’ season 2.

Despite Marner’s stellar performance last year, breaking the 100-point barrier for the first time, his leadership and actions during the playoffs have come under intense scrutiny.

The video clip, which quickly circulated online, captured Marner demanding more physical play from his teammates during a crucial loss to the Florida Panthers. Yet, fans and analysts were quick to point out a glaring contradiction in his words, raising questions about double standards and team dynamics behind closed doors.

As Marner prepares for an emotional return to Toronto with the Vegas Golden Knights, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation—and resentment.

What really happened during those tense playoff moments? Why are fans so eager to call out one of their former heroes? The full story, packed with controversy and hidden truths, is waiting to be uncovered.

Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Photo credit: Sportsnet

Mitch Marner left the Maple Leafs this off-season, and now he’s been called out by fans again after the recent trailer for Faceoff: Inside the NHL dropped.

The Toronto Maple Leafs went so close to the Eastern Conference Finals in the post-season in 2025, but unfortunately, they once again fell short to the Florida Panthers, the team that would once again go on to win the Stanley Cup.

That led to an off-season that saw the team lose Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, and after the move, he has been ripped by analysts and fans alike for the way he departed.

Marner called out for double standards in the post-season

Now, he’s been called out by Leafs fans again after the trailer for ‘Faceoff: Inside the NHL’ season 2 dropped, with the video showing Marner calling on his team to start hitting people as they were losing to the Panthers.

 

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While it’s all well and good to do that, he’s been called out for his double standards, as the statistics show he had just 49 hits a season ago, equating to roughly one hit every two games.

Sure, Marner isn’t paid to hit people, as he’s paid to score like he did a season ago, passing the 100-point mark in the regular season for the first time, but given all the drama that followed him in Toronto, it’s unsurprising to see people calling him out.

Now, Marner is gone, and he will have a major welcoming party in Toronto set to boo him upon his return when the Vegas Golden Knights visit Toronto later this season, and given the way he departed, this won’t be the last time fans call him out.