Ryan Reaves and Nathan Mackinnon Speak Out Against Unfair Criticism of Leafs' Mitch Marner

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Chris Gerics
October 9, 2024 (4:57 PM)

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While speaking on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, both Ryan Reaves and Nathan MacKinnon took time to give Mitch Marner his flowers and speak out against his critics.

This summer a lot of headlines circulated regarding Mitch Marner and his supposed lack of motivation or offseason training after the Maple Leafs failed yet again in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Marner has been absent in Game 7's, having only a handful of points and feeling transparent at times, but is the criticism justified towards Marner?

For Marner's teammate Ryan Reaves and Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan Mackinnon, they believe it's not only unjustified but the whole situation is a bit egregious. Speaking on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast on Tuesday, both men took turns dismissing the critics of Marner.

Mackinnon spoke of Marner:

"I think it's cause you hear stuff and it's always negative - well, not always negative about Marns, but a lot of the time - and then you get on the ice with him and you're like, how could anyone ever be negative about this? For me, I just admire how good he is just cause people chirp him a lot."

This echoes his previous statement a month ago where he was asked about Marner's criticism:

«I think Marner got a lot of flak. He's one of the best players in the league. Toronto, I definitely feel for them.»

Mackinnon took the ice with Marner to train this summer and if anyone would know how dedicated and motivated Marner is, it would be Mackinnon. It's hard to be negative when Marner does dynamic things mostly every game and provides the Maple Leafs with an offensive spark whenever on the ice. It's easy to nitpick things when you're on the outside, and it's unfair for Marner when he's also trying to balance being a professional athlete and having a life outside of hockey.

Marner's criticism was not only due to his offseason escapades but for the fact he didn't do much in the First Round vs. Boston; something Reaves touched on in his time on the podcast:

"I didn't think it was fair at all. You can't put a whole playoff series on one guy. It's not like he was horrible, the points just weren't coming for him that's just how it is in Toronto."

For Marner and the Maple Leafs this season, the journey toward the Stanley Cup is a long one. The team added some vital pieces to shore up some weaknesses, and they brought in a new voice behind the bench to lead them. It's just extra motivation now for Marner to perform out of his mind, not only for his bank account but to have his name etched in history.

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Were Ryan Reaves and Nathan Mackinnon right in defending Mitch Marner?
Yes, he didn't deserve the hate	201	76.4 %
No, Marner needs to hear it	62	23.6 %
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