‘Two more weeks, then we’re done’: Leafs’ Matthews fed up with Marner questions
It seems that one of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ biggest stars is growing tired of being asked the same questions about a former teammate.
In the lead-up to the team’s first preseason game against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was asked about how his routine during warm-ups would change, with Mitch Marner no longer present.
Over the past several years, Marner and Matthews have been two of the last Leafs on the ice at the end. Even though it was an honest question, the fact that the now-Vegas Golden Knights forward has been brought up (again) seemed to irk Matthews, with the veteran center putting a deadline on questions regarding Marner.
"You got two more weeks, and then we're done with these questions."
Auston Matthews puts a deadline on the Marner talk. 😅
(HT @markhmasters) pic.twitter.com/vxaQwbPiYV
“You got two more weeks,” Matthews said with a little bit of annoyance. “Then we’re done with these questions.”
The topic of Marner no longer donning the blue and white has been a hot topic ever since the Leafs performed a sign-and-trade with the Golden Knights for the Toronto native. Matthews acknowledged that there were going to be some questions heading into training camp. However, it seems apparent that Matthews and the rest of the team are ready to move on.
The 2025-26 season will be the first time that Leafs Nation will see the Arizona native participate in the NHL without Marner on the roster. The two made their debuts together during the 2016-17 campaign and have been key parts of the “Core Four” for many years. The two helped turn the bumbling Original Six franchise into one of the hottest commodities in hockey once again, despite the team failing to get beyond the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Even though the two played less than a decade together, Matthews and Marner have become two of the best players in team history. Matthews is second all-time in goals (401) and sixth in points (727) as a Leaf, while Marner left the organization fourth in assists (520) and fifth in points (741).
It will be a while before the former teammates go toe-to-toe, as the Leafs don’t face the Golden Knights until Jan. 15 in Las Vegas. Marner’s anticipated return to Toronto won’t be until Jan. 23.