The Toronto Maple Leafs are not in the Stanley Cup Final this year. In fact, they were pretty far from it with, claiming their seventh Round 1 elimination over the last eight years in a Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins.
However, that hasn’t stopped folks from taunting them just for the fun of it.
During Game 2 between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, amidst a sea of Oilers and Panthers jerseys, a dark blue T-shirt caught the attention of people online. A fan seated in the front row wearing a top bearing the message “LEAFS SUCK” was spotted on multiple occasions during the broadcast of the Panthers’ 4-1 victory.
Shoutout to the guy sitting on the glass at the Cup Finals in a “LEAFS SUCK” shirt pic.twitter.com/4mwZcYm6zO
— Emerald City Hockey (@EmeraldCityHky) June 11, 2024
Given the game took place in Sunrise and Leafs fans infamously chanted “We want Florida!” after winning their first series in nearly two decades last spring, it’s safe to assume that the man with the unique outfit choice is a Panthers fan.
Since then, plenty of online reactions have poured in. Many of which feature people, including Leafs fans, agreeing with the T-shirt’s statement.
“I concur,” wrote one X user.
Much respect to the gentlemen behind the net sporting the “LEAFS SUCK” shirt. I concur. #StanleyCupFinal#NHL
— Jim Swindells (@jimswindells68) June 11, 2024
Another went into detail about why the Leafs are so widely disliked around the league.
We hate the leafs because the fan base sucks and are annoying. They spend the most money and accomplish nothing, and in Canada if they are good or not they are shoved down our throats all the time. So yes they suck https://t.co/JZ5wdomhYM
— AndrewRFC (@AndrewRFC89) June 11, 2024
One Toronto supporter had no rebuttal for the two-word argument.
Let be real, Leafs do suck though.
And I’m a fan
— WarDog (@Wnc096) June 11, 2024
Others, though, see the shirt as a sign that the Leafs live in other fans’ heads rent-free.
Only relevant team in the league. Without them all these poverty teams fold
— R G (@_RG017) June 11, 2024
“Everyone is secretly a Leafs fan,” one user argued.
Everyone is secretly a Leafs fan, some just don’t know it yet.
— Just Craig (@justcraigw) June 11, 2024
Living rent free forever. And it’s awesome.
— Langs (@Langerangs) June 11, 2024
With the series moving to Edmonton this week, here’s the schedule for the remainder of the Oilers-Panthers Stanley Cup Final series:
Game 3: Thursday, June 13, at Edmonton
Game 4: Saturday, June 15, at Edmonton
Game 5: Tuesday, June 18, at Florida*
Game 6: Friday, June 21, at Edmonton*
Game 7: Monday, June 24, at Florida*
*if necessary
All games in the series will begin at 5 pm PT/6 pm MT/8 pm ET.