Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Praises Head Coach After Benching

The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to a so-so start to the 2022-23 season and it seems like once a week head coach Sheldon Keefe is making headlines. This time around it was for benching forward Mitch Marner against the Anaheim Ducks after Marner cost the team two goals on bad giveaways.

While Marner was visibly pissed off after the coach called a third-period timeout and singled him out, which was then followed by a benching for a few shifts. Marner was seen going to the tunnel to smash his stick and release some frustation.

There's been a ton of rumblings about their relationship, but as Marner put it today, they are on the same page and he's fine with the benching as accountability is important in the room. Reporters were trying to push buttons today, however kudos to Marner for one, stepping up to his coach and two, wearing the benching like a pro. Take a look:

Reporter: "Are you playing for Sheldon Keefe's job right now?"

Mitch Marner: "... Keefer's done an unbelievable job with this team."#Leafs fans... Do you think Sheldon Keefe is on the hot seat? @timandfriends is LIVE today at 5et/2pt on @Sportsnet! pic.twitter.com/oj7WBBBeeY
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) November 1, 2022

“I stay off everything, I don’t really need to read anything out there. I know what I need to do to be successful.”

Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner talks about how he tunes out the noise while at home. pic.twitter.com/aWU85IhcKb
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 1, 2022

Marner went to blow off some steam pic.twitter.com/A3yIjBNron
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 31, 2022

“We started off a lot worse last year and everyone tried to put shambles in our brains so it’s not gonna happen with us.”

Mitch Marner says the confidence level in the Leafs room is still high. What do you think of the start to this Leafs season? pic.twitter.com/poDnk6Qsc7
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) October 31, 2022