Former Maple Leaf argues Marner is worth more than Matthews, blows up Twitter
Former Maple Leaf Dave Bolland ignited a wild Twitter war on Wednesday when he decided to voice his take on one of the hottest topics in the NHL this summer: the Mitch Marner negotiations.
He’s worth more then Matthews forsure.. https://t.co/aYqpKyCGsT
— Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) August 21, 2019
It is true there are people who think Marner is as good if not better than Auston Matthews and should get paid accordingly on his pending contract, but Bolland really opened up a can of worms by suggesting he deserves more than the team’s franchise centre, who earns $11.634M on the contract he signed in February.
Marner is an all around player. You can use him in every situation. PP, PK down a goal and need a goal. Up a goal and the draw is in your own zone. https://t.co/6HfFNR0nEF
— Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) August 21, 2019
Bolland’s take led to hundreds of replies and some major animosity. Instead of logging off after his initial tweet, Bolland added fuel to the fire by replying to the haters.
With 2 cups.. https://t.co/ZDfhWMYMnv
— Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) August 21, 2019
Ouch, you really got me with that one. https://t.co/IyopTZPNed
— Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) August 21, 2019
Sick profile pic. I’d change that first before you start chirping bud https://t.co/VwUjuaJ8kp
— Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) August 21, 2019
Some replies from fans were way over the line, like joking about Bolland having CTE from concussions which has devastated the lives of many professional athletes.
CTE is real, it’s Nothing to joke about. I lost a friend because of it. Think before you type dirtbag. https://t.co/yPOJ4AyALk
— Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) August 21, 2019
It gets better. Some sleuthing by Leafs fans online revealed that Bolland’s agent, Anton Thun, recently merged to join the same agency that represents Marner.
Quartexx merging with Darren Ferris combines three strong agents in Ferris, Anton Thun and Kent Hughes. Sounds like plans in the works for client training facility, etc. Lino Saputo is a major investor. Nothing changes on player front.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 1, 2019
But the longtime Blackhawk shot down the theory he was acting on behalf of Marner’s agent pretty quickly. He also mentioned in May that he hasn’t spoken to his agent in nearly three years.
I’m retired bud, don’t have to pay my agent anymore. https://t.co/His21o4X0v
— Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) August 22, 2019
Bolland found time to laugh about the ruthlessness of Leafs nation, in awe that one tweet could cause such a stir. His name was even trending on Twitter in the evening because of the thousands of replies.
This is awesome. I threw out one little tweet and leafs nation is going crazy. https://t.co/eTfK0aDuDJ
— Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) August 22, 2019
Instead of letting the shenanigans of Wednesday night stay in the past, Bolland fired off another tweet Thursday morning with a wild hashtag to rally the keyboard warriors once again.
The replies poured in once again.
Good morning leaf fans. #marnersworthmorthanmatthews pic.twitter.com/nQM4CJklcW
— Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) August 22, 2019
The Mimico, Ont. native, who is relatively quiet on Twitter, only played 23 games with the Maple Leafs due to injury after being acquired in the summer of 2013, so he holds little allegiance to the franchise outside of being from the area.
We have a feeling this saga is far from over, and that Bolland will become a staple on Leafs Twitter for weeks to come.
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