Popular TSN Analyst Fires Playful Shot at Auston Matthews Over Recent Marner Frustration

It's becoming more and more obvious that Auston Matthews has reached his wit's end when it comes to questions about former teammate Mitch Marner, and honestly, who can blame him?

This is a storyline that's been boiling over for years, and Matthews seems ready to put it to rest once and for all. The situation wasn't helped when TSN panelist Jamie McLennan recently jokingly referred to new Leafs forward Matias Maccelli as "Mitch Maccelli."

The comparison isn't completely out of left field. After all, Maccelli was brought in with the expectation that he could potentially challenge to fill that two-way, playmaking role on the Leafs' top line.

Their styles of play are similar, which means the shadow of Marner will probably follow Maccelli for a while. But for Matthews, it's clearly a nerve that's been struck too many times.

The panel even suggested that if they made that joke in front of Matthews, he'd be sure to have an adverse reaction, given how vocal he's been about not wanting to answer any more Marner-related questions.

At this point, Leafs Nation is just as tired of the constant Marner talk, as is the captain himself. Matthews has been clear: he wants to focus on the season ahead, not keep rehashing the past. That's exactly what a good leader should do.

After years of the same questions and the same narrative being dragged out, it's fair to say anyone would be worn down eventually. Matthews has drawn his line in the sand, and it's time for the media and fans to move forward, too.