The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into December with their backs against the wall - four points out of a playoff spot and sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. But if you ask Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand, the panic in Toronto might be a bit overblown.
“Obviously with the media attention and the fan support that they have in Toronto, things get blown way out of proportion up there,” Marchand said ahead of Tuesday’s matchup between the Leafs and Panthers. “What are they, four points out of a playoff spot? If people are thinking they’re out of a playoff spot for the season, they got to find a new job.”
That’s classic Marchand - part agitator, part realist. He’s been around long enough to understand how the Toronto market works: intense scrutiny, massive expectations, and very little patience when the team stumbles. And right now, the Leafs are stumbling.
Toronto enters the week with an 11-11-3 record, last in the division. The Panthers, not exactly lighting it up themselves, sit just one spot above them at 12-11-1.
So when Marchand says the Leafs aren’t out of it, he’s not wrong - at least mathematically. But not everyone’s buying what he’s selling.
Former NHLer and current analyst Jeff O’Neil didn’t hold back when reacting to Marchand’s comments. On air, O’Neil called it “nonsense,” doubling down on the idea that Marchand’s words were more about stirring the pot than offering genuine praise.
“So, I think we know what we're talking about, Brad,” O’Neil said. “And if people can't see through this - what he does every time - he comes up with these nonsense comments. He does the same crap every single time.”
O’Neil didn’t stop there. He suggested Marchand’s praise was laced with sarcasm and that the Panthers winger doesn’t actually respect the Leafs’ chances.
“You think he means that? He doesn't,” O’Neil continued.
“He thinks they're the biggest bunch of losers of life. That’s what he thinks.”
It’s a strong take, and one that reflects the emotional temperature in Toronto right now. The Leafs have been inconsistent, and while they’ve shown flashes of the high-end talent that’s made them a perennial playoff team in recent years, the results haven’t followed. Injuries haven’t helped.
Marchand acknowledged as much, pointing to the Leafs’ health issues as a major factor in their early-season struggles.
“They’re battling some injuries, stuff like that, which affects your overall game and your consistency and just how comfortable you are with your linemates and everything,” he said.
That’s a fair point. Chemistry gets disrupted when key players are in and out of the lineup, and it’s tough to build momentum when your roster’s constantly in flux.
Still, with the season approaching its midpoint, time is becoming a factor. The Leafs need wins - and fast.
Meanwhile, Marchand is doing just fine. With 27 points through 23 games (15 goals, 12 assists), he’s been a driving force for Florida, even as the Panthers have had their own share of ups and downs. And now, with the Leafs coming to Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday night, there’s more than just two points on the line - there’s pride, pressure, and maybe a little bit of psychological warfare.
Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET. You can bet both teams know exactly how much this one matters.