Paul Bissonnette Jokingly Apologizes for Mitch Marner’s Maple Leafs Exit

Paul Bissonnette says he regrets his role in Mitch Marner’s departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs, though his apology sounded more like another jab than a confession.

Days after shouting “you stole our guy” during NHL on TNT's season-opening broadcast, right after the rest of the panel gifted him a Vegas Golden Knights Marner jersey, Bissonnette revisited the subject on Friday's episode of the "Spittin Chiclets" podcast.

The former Maple Leafs agitator and current NHL analyst claimed he may have helped “chase” Marner out of town.

“I made a mistake, I made a mistake. I can admit when I’m wrong, right?” Bissonnette said. “And I made a mistake.”

Added Bissonnette: “I realized after I said, 'Selke my (expletive).' Yeah—no, that was probably as bad as it got. I was just angry in the moment. It spiraled. And it chased my guy out of town. I'll spend the rest of my career apologizing to Mitch Marner. I can admit when I'm wrong.”

The comments appeared to be a half-joking reflection on a saga that dominated Toronto headlines for months, if not the entirety of last regular season.

Before Marner’s trade to Vegas, Bissonnette had publicly called for the Maple Leafs to take a hard line in negotiations.

Bissonnette posted a long message on X in May, explaining why the Leafs should “offer Marner Nylander’s contract and if he wants more, say '$12 million or (expletive) off.'”

Marner was dealt to the Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade on the eve of free agency, and in fact, he ended up signing an eight-year, $96 million deal with an annual cap hit of $12 million

The winger later revealed that his family faced threats during his last few weeks in Toronto, saying the situation had gone too far for him to remain there.

“When your family’s safety comes into question, especially having a new son, I don’t think it’s acceptable,” Marner said.

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) juggles a puck.Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Co-host Ryan Whitney teased Bissonnette for his newfound remorse, and got the answer he was looking for.

“Very funny content (during NHL on TNT's broadcast), Biz singing a song, saying, ‘You stole my guy. You ran the guy out of town,’” Whitney said on the show.

Bissonnette lost no time, going for a playful tribute in a musical performance, singing, "Baby come back, I never meant to hurt you..."

Marner has appeared in all three games played by the Golden Knights this week, assisting on two goals but having yet to score one himself as Vegas has gone 1-0-2 to start the season.

"Kerby Joseph Could Face NFL Fine After Criticizing Officials on Social Media"

“I get it, the rule is in place, but it’s hard to stay quiet when you see calls like that affecting the game. We work hard, and when we feel the game isn’t being called fairly, it’s frustrating. But we know we have to keep our heads down and focus on the next game.”

– Kerby Joseph, Safety, Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are facing not just the fallout from an emotionally charged game, but also the possibility of penalties for their players, including

Kerby Joseph. Following their intense matchup on Sunday, where tensions boiled over into a post-game brawl, all eyes have been on Brian Branch for potential disciplinary action. However, it’s

Joseph who may be next on the NFL’s radar, and his potential fine has nothing to do with the fight.

Instead, Kerby Joseph is at risk of punishment for his

public criticism of the game’s officiating. Following the controversial contest, Joseph took to social media to voice his frustration with what many believed were poor calls that favored the opposing team. However, the NFL has a strict policy in place that prohibits players from publicly criticizing officials, whether through interviews, social media, or other public forums.

In response to the situation, Joseph shared his frustrations, acknowledging the difficulty in staying silent when he felt the game was being influenced by questionable calls. “I get it, the rule is in place, but it’s hard to stay quiet when you see calls like that affecting the game. We work hard, and when we feel the game isn’t being called fairly, it’s frustrating,”

Joseph stated. “But we know we have to keep our heads down and focus on the next game.”

The NFL's stance on this issue is clear. According to Article 12, Section 3

of the playing rules, players are prohibited from making public comments that undermine the integrity or competency of officials. Joseph’s comments on Twitter, which followed a game with several controversial decisions—including a

no-call on a JuJu Smith-Schuster block and Chris Jones’ near offside violations—seem to fall directly in violation of this policy.

While Joseph’s comments reflect the frustration many players feel after games marked by controversial officiating, the NFL’s enforcement of this rule leaves little room for players to publicly vent their concerns. This silence, enforced through fines and potential suspensions, often only serves to build resentment among players and fans who feel that their voices should be heard, especially when the officiating impacts the outcome of the game.

As the Detroit Lions await the consequences for Brian Branch’s actions and Kerby Joseph’s social media outburst, one thing is certain—the league’s efforts to keep players quiet about officiating issues may only escalate the tension, leaving players with little recourse to voice their frustrations.

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