During an appearance on Saturday's After Hours with Scott Oak and Gary Lawless on Hockey Night in CanadaThe longtime Leafs star and current Golden Knight shared his thoughts during the biggest decision of his professional career.
“There were some sleepless nights,” he said after scoring his first two goals for Vegas in a win over the Calgary Flames. “Very difficult. It was not an easy decision at all… Trying to make the best move that we thought would be best for our family in the future.”
Marner, who grew up near Toronto, spent his first nine seasons with the Leafs filling out the sheet every night. He set a career high with 102 points last season and has surpassed that mark by 90 points three other times.
But although he scored 741 points in 657 games during the regular season, he was unable to replicate his success in the playoffs. The winger has 63 points in 70 post-season games and failed to score in two first-round games.
The Maple Leafs' postseason struggles were well documented during the core four era, as they advanced to the second round just twice. Marner, as a homegrown superstar, took much of the blame for the team's struggles.
Now in Vegas, Marner is ready for a fresh start and has embraced the challenges of changing teams for the first time in his NHL career.
“The guys in that dressing room were amazing,” the 28-year-old told Scott Oak. “Actually, in the last couple of days and week, I'm starting to feel at home here. I like the way things are going and I just need to keep growing. I’m starting to really open up and just contribute.”
If eight points in six games and six in the last three are anything to go by, Marner is happy and comfortable in his new home.
