Mitch Marner’s first season with the Vegas Golden Knights has been a mix of excitement and pressure, as he adjusts to life after Toronto and the spotlight that comes with his high-profile contract. Every game has tested his skills and drawn reactions from both opponents and fans, keeping him constantly in the public eye.

In a recent game against the Ottawa Senators, the intensity went beyond the score. Vegas lost 4-3 in a shootout, but what grabbed attention was Marner’s encounter with a veteran forward, a moment that immediately sparked conversation and amusement among fans online.

Ottawa Senators Fans Rally Behind Veteran Forward During Mitch Marner Exchange

The exchange began when Lars Eller called out Mitch Marner from the ice, telling him to stop crying, which immediately drew laughter from fans in the arena and ignited reactions on social media. Marner, caught off guard, responded from the bench with an iPad in hand, giving Eller a pointed retort that showed he was not entirely backing down.

Senators fans took to X to express their approval, with one writing, “Love me some Eller!,” applauding the veteran’s boldness, while another added, “No one likes Marner. Leaf fans are happy he’s gone,” highlighting the lingering resentment some observers feel toward Marner from his time in Toronto.

The conversation around Marner’s departure and reputation became a major talking point, with one fan reflecting, “The fact that you could be an average 95-point player and still be heavily disliked by a fanbase because of your attitude, to the point that they’re glad you left for Vegas, is crazy work,” showing how personal perception and past history influence fan reactions even far from his former city.

The discussion even drew comparisons to other NHL personalities, as one fan recalled, “Brad Marchand would tune Eller in. I remember Marchand putting him on his a** when Washington was running up the score against Boston. Lol,” stressing that veteran players often use attitude and psychological gamesmanship as a part of their competitive arsenal.

On the ice, the Senators built an early lead by Jake Sanderson and Shane Pinto, while Vegas fought to stay in the game with contributions from Jack Eichel and Mark Stone. Marner continued to demonstrate his playmaking skills, adding assists that kept Vegas in contention, but the Senators ultimately secured the win in the shootout. The confrontation with Eller drew as much attention as the score, showing that even top players face challenges that go beyond goals and assists.