In the world of professional hockey, reputation can shift as quickly as the momentum of a game. One moment, a player is celebrated for dazzling skill and clutch performances; the next, he’s the center of controversy, dissected by fans and analysts alike. This week, former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner finds himself in the eye of a social media storm—not for a highlight-reel play, but for a comment that has reignited debates about ego, confidence, and the fine line between self-belief and self-delusion.

It all began with a seemingly innocuous NHL Q&A video posted to the league’s TikTok account, where players were asked to name the teammate or opponent with the highest hockey IQ. Most gave the expected answer: Sidney Crosby, the legendary captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, whose reputation for intelligence on the ice is nearly unmatched. But when it was Marner’s turn, he took a different route, naming Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov—a choice that raised eyebrows, but didn’t cross any lines. What happened next, however, set the internet ablaze.

Without hesitation, Marner added, “I’d like to throw myself in that option too.” In that instant, a new round of scrutiny began. Was this a display of healthy self-confidence, or did it reveal something deeper about Marner’s mindset? The reaction was swift and merciless. Fans, already raw from Marner’s recent on-ice blunder that cost the Vegas Golden Knights a win, seized on his words as evidence of unchecked ego. Social media erupted with clips of Marner’s past mistakes—most notably, his infamous delay of game penalty against the Montreal Canadiens in the 2021 postseason—and pointed questions about what he’s actually accomplished in his career.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for Marner. Just days before, P.K. Subban’s pointed comments about Marner’s departure from Toronto were making headlines, and the former first-round pick’s own struggles under pressure were fresh in fans’ minds. Now, his self-vote over Crosby was fueling the narrative that Marner’s confidence had crossed into arrogance. Critics highlighted that his only major win was a Four Nations Championship—a tournament some dismissed as little more than a placeholder for the All-Star Game.

Yet, behind the backlash, there’s a more complex story. Is it truly arrogance for a top-tier athlete to believe in his own abilities? Or is Marner’s willingness to speak his mind a sign of the self-assurance required to survive in the NHL’s relentless spotlight? Does his comment reflect a deeper insecurity, or simply the bravado of a player who refuses to be defined by critics? And how will this latest controversy shape Marner’s legacy as he prepares for a much-anticipated return to Toronto in January—a homecoming that may be colder than he ever expected?

As the debate rages, one thing is certain: Mitch Marner’s name is everywhere, and the fallout from his viral self-vote is far from over. The full story, with all its nuance and drama, is one fans won’t want to miss.

Mitch Marner chose himself over Sidney Crosby in a recent NHL poll

Photo credit: Imagn images Stephen R. Sylvanie

Former Leafs forward Mitch Marner is going viral for choosing himself over Penguins star Sidney Crosby in an NHL Q&A video, sparking more backlash.

For the second time in the past week, Mitch Marner’s name is all over the internet, and that’s aside from P.K. Subban’s recent comment about Marner’s departure from the Leafs.

On Sunday, the 28-year-old’s horrendous giveaway in overtime cost the Vegas Golden Knights a win. Last night, it wasn’t due to his play, but his comments in one of the NHL’s Q&A videos posted to the league’s TikTok account.

Marner’s self-vote has fans calling out his ego again

In the video, a handful of players were asked who they would pick for hockey IQ. The majority of players chose Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, but when Marner was asked, he named Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. Barkov is by no means a bad choice or wrong answer, but it was what Marner said next that had fans talking.

“I’d like to throw myself in that option too,” said the former first-round pick without skipping a beat.

Fans roast Marner for picking himself

Marner quickly faced backlash for his comments choosing himself over Crosby and others when he has won nothing but a Four Nations championship with Canada, which essentially amounts to a pointless tournament that replaced the All-Star Game in 2025.

Fans were quick to jump on Marner’s hockey IQ by posting videos of his on-ice blunders, including his delay of game penalty against the Montreal Canadiens in the post-season in 2021.

Despite wanting out of Toronto because he couldn’t handle the pressure, Marner continues to put himself in these situations by speaking before he thinks.

While the Leafs may miss Marner on the ice in some ways, fans do not miss him or his ego. Scheduled to return to Toronto in January, Marner may be in for a much colder welcome home than he expects.