Auston Matthews is fed up and puts Toronto media on notice

Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has officially drawn a line in the sand when it comes to questions about former teammate Mitch Marner. During media availability earlier this week, Matthews was asked about the pre-game ritual in which he and Marner would often be the last players on the ice during warmups, now a thing of the past. But he also made sure to send a strong message to ever media member present that day.

“I mean… See what happens, I guess. Yeah,” Matthews said. “You got two more weeks, and then we’re done with these questions.”

Marner left the Maple Leafs as part of a sign-and-trade deal on June 30, joining the Vegas Golden Knights on an eight-year, $96 million contract. In return, Toronto received forward Nicolas Roy. Matthews and Marner had spent their entire nine-year NHL careers together before the move, forming one of the league’s most dynamic duos.

“Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, I don’t think it was really much of a distraction last year, to be honest. Everybody from the start of camp is obviously working towards one goal, coming together as quickly as possible. And I don’t really think any of the outside stuff was a distraction last year,” Matthews said. “And, you know, it’s definitely not a distraction this year. And maybe you guys will ask a couple more Mitchy questions here for the next couple of weeks, but hopefully that’ll that’ll die down here shortly”.

While Matthews appears eager to move on, the media and the fanbase will undoubtedly still be curious about how he adapts offensively without Marner by his side, especially after a campaign in which Matthews wasn’t at full health and finished with just 33 goals.

Of course, Matthews’ “two-week window” for Marner questions may be more symbolic than practical. When the Maple Leafs face the Golden Knights in Vegas on January 15, and again at Scotiabank Arena on January 23, you can bet those questions will be back in full force.

And Matthews will have to answer them, whether he likes it or not.