Toronto radio personality and analyst Bryan Hayes didn’t hold back in aiming at Mitch Marner‘s agent Darren Ferris for comments he made about the star winger’s turbulent time with the Maple Leafs.
Ferris recently appeared on the PuckPedia Hockey Show and opened up about the tough time Marner endured in Toronto. He claimed the 29-year-old was essentially “carjacked” by the intense environment, saying the Leafs failed to protect him from the constant scrutiny of fans and media, especially after losses and during poor performances.
Appearing on the recent segment of OverDrive, Bryan Hayes reacted to Mitch Marner’s agent’s comments and said:
“I just don’t know the protection. That’s what I’m getting at,” Hayes said. “Like signing bonuses. Who are you protecting it from. The idea that they were going to protect him from social media trolls… How would the Maple Leafs possibly do that. Or how can any team do that. Were they supposed to get on the air and start yelling and screaming at me and other people that were criticizing his play.”
Hayes added:
“I just don’t understand that. Protect. But the ‘not protecting him’ to me is just asking something of the Leafs that is completely unreasonable and not possible.”
Mitch Marner’s stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs ended last year when he was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade deal. The 29-year-old played in Toronto for nine seasons.
Ex-Maple Leafs defenseman blasts Mitch Marner for his agent’s comments
Former Maple Leafs defenseman and analyst Carlo Colaiacovo has blasted Mitch Marner and his agent for the lack of protection comments about his time in Toronto.
Appearing on the FirstUp podcast, Colaiacovo said:
“You want to hold a grudge against the team. You want to say that the team didn’t protect you, or you know the team didn’t give you what you wanted. Stop living in the past and wondering what if. Mitch Marner got made a ton of money as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, not just on the ice but off the ice too. So don’t sit here and go on a podcast and try to make Toronto look even more bad, as bad as you tried to make them, their fans, and their city look on your way out.”
Marner has quickly established himself as one of the top performers since joining the Golden Knights last year. He led the playoffs in scoring with 29 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 22 games.
Also Read: Ex-Maple Leafs star’s agent recounts 29 Y.O. forward’s turbulent time in Toronto
Edited by Abhishek Dilta
