Mitch Marner talks about his change and mental health for playoffs

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Ryan
April 29, 2022 (4:57 PM)

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Mitch Marner has been a victim of criticism quite a bit in Toronto. Despite putting up 455 points in 427 games as a Maple Leaf, he is often the outlet for attacks from fans and media for the Leafs poor performances.

Going into the playoffs last season Marner and the Maple Leafs looked like they finally had an easy pass to the second round as they played the Montreal Canadiens who were 18 points behind them in the standings, and patched nowhere near the offensive punch that the Leafs possessed. After taking a 3-1 series lead, it looked all but over for the Habs, but they stormed back to beat the Leafs in game 7.

We all remember the picture of Matthews and Marner in the locker room after with their heads down in shame and disappointment.

Well, with playoffs just about to start, Marner wants his fans to know this year is going to be different.

"I'm definitely a different person than I was the last couple years. It's something, like you just said, I talk about it a lot - whenever you're here around the arena, you just want to get better, whether it's in the gym or on the ice. I think that's something that lot of guys in our locker room do as well.

There's a lot of mental health stuff that goes on behind the, I'd say shades, some people really hide. For us athletes, There's nothing to be embarrassed or hide about. "

The Leafs will either be playing Boston or Tampa Bay in the first round this season, and if they meet Boston, it will almost be poetic for them to get passed the demons of playing the Bruins to finally make it to round 2.

Let's just hope there is not another game 7 collapse in store for the Leafs again this season!