Following the Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff elimination at the hands of the Florida Panthers, Auston Matthews delivered his now-infamous comment about the team having "too many passengers." At the time, it was difficult to pinpoint who Matthews was referring to, but in the months since, the picture has become much clearer. It now appears that the remark may have been directed at his former linemate, Mitch Marner.

After signing with the Vegas Golden Knights, Marner opened up about his decision, sharing that he knew a change was needed two years ago. He went on to reveal that he used the Four Nations Face-Off as an opportunity to speak directly with Golden Knights players about the prospect of playing in Vegas. He even admitted to speaking with players like Ryan Reaves and Max Pacioretty about the market during the season. So, while his Maple Leafs teammates were battling to win a playoff series, Marner was already planning his exit.

Matthews' comment came just a year after William Nylander was caught on camera telling Marner to “stop b*tching” during a playoff game against the Boston Bruins. Compounding this, Elliotte Friedman revealed on the 32 Thoughts Podcast that following the trade deadline debacle, where Marner blocked a trade to the Carolina Hurricanes, one Leafs player openly questioned, “Is this ever going to end?”

With these developments in Toronto, the weight of responsibility now falls squarely on the shoulders of Auston Matthews and William Nylander. This upcoming season, both will be tasked with driving their own lines and assuming greater leadership roles. It's clear the Maple Leafs were a fragmented group, and it is now up to Matthews and Nylander to galvanize the locker room.

Matthews made it clear he felt there were "passengers" on the team; now it's his opportunity to prove he can be the one to drive the bus. If he can't, the Maple Leafs could be facing a full rebuild much sooner than anyone in the fan base or the organization ever intended.

So will Matthews finally figure out how to breakthrough or will Mitch Marner be vindicated?

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