Spencer Carbery says he partially owes his Capitals head coaching job to Mitch Marner
Spencer Carbery believes his hiring as head coach of the Washington Capitals in 2023 is partly owed to the skills of former Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner.
“The two years that I spent [in Toronto], I owe a lot [to him,]” Carbery told ESPN’s Arda Ocal and Greg Wyshynski on an episode of “The Drop” podcast released Monday. “I told [Marner] this after getting the job in Washington, I owe a lot to him as to why I’m an NHL head coach.”
Carbery was an assistant coach with Toronto from 2021-23, running the club’s power play which Marner featured heavily on. The Maple Leafs were the NHL’s best at scoring on the man-advantage in his first year (27.3 percent) and finished behind only the Edmonton Oilers the following season (26.0 percent). Marner assisted on 46 of the team’s 127 power play tallies and scored 15 himself in those years.
“He did some things that you just can’t coach. You can’t teach,” Carbery praised. “It’s his individual talent.”
The 43-year-old bench boss won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s coach of the year last season with the Eastern Conference-leading Caps and won 91 regular season games in his first two seasons at the helm, a club record. Marner has since departed Toronto, signing an eight-year, $96 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights as part of a sign-and-trade deal in late June.
Carbery believes Marner will “be fantastic” with his new team, but acknowledged the way his tenure with Toronto ended was unfortunate. Marner was the target of much online criticism and threats from fans unhappy about the team’s consistent playoff shortcomings.
“I understand Toronto, I understand the pressure and expectations,” Carbery lamented. “When it’s always Stanley Cup or bust, it’s hard. Mitch took a lot of that over the years.”
Marner finished with 741 points (221g, 520a) in nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, but the team only won two playoff series in that time.
“Fans are entitled to their opinion and what they see and how they come to their conclusions is up to them,” Carbery added. “Mitch got a lot of the brunt to that, but he is a generational player.”
BREAKING: "FOOTBALL IS NOT A PERFORMANCE" — Jonathan Taylor’s Fiery Response to Bad Bunny’s SNL Line Stuns NFL
"WE'RE HERE TO PLAY, NOT TO BE ENTERTAINERS. FOOTBALL IS ABOUT HARD WORK, NOT FLASH."
The line between entertainment and football was further blurred when global superstar Bad Bunny made a bold statement on Saturday Night Live, telling the audience, “If you don’t understand what I just said, you’ve got four months to learn.” While the comment was aimed at encouraging his fans to embrace his music, it quickly stirred controversy — especially in the sports world, where the true essence of competition is often overshadowed by flashy performances.
One player who wasted no time in reacting to the comment was Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor. Known for his workhorse mentality and relentless style on the field, Taylor was quick to speak up, delivering a no-holds-barred response that immediately grabbed attention. “We’re here to play, not to be entertainers. Football is about hard work, not flash,” Taylor said with a focused intensity. “This is a game built on discipline, sacrifice, and grit. We earn everything on that field. It’s not a stage for a performance.”
Taylor’s strong words hit home for many in the NFL, where the line between spectacle and sportsmanship is sometimes hard to define. As one of the league’s premier running backs, Taylor’s stance on this issue carries significant weight. His no-nonsense approach to the game has made him a fan favorite in Indianapolis, and his comments sparked a wave of support from teammates and players across the league who shared his sentiment.
“Football is real. It’s not about how many views you get or who’s performing at halftime. It’s about respect for the game,” said one anonymous Colts player. “Jonathan’s right. We’re here to grind, to give everything for the team, and to prove ourselves every week.”
Taylor’s comments come at a critical time for the Colts, who have had a rocky start to their season. With a focus on getting their offense back on track, Taylor’s leadership and commitment to the team will be crucial in determining their success moving forward. His strong stance against the commercialization of the sport highlights the passion and dedication of players who still see football as more than just an entertainment vehicle.
While Bad Bunny’s remark was a playful challenge to his fans, Taylor’s response reflects the deeply rooted culture of discipline that exists in the NFL. In a league where physical and mental toughness are paramount, players like Taylor are dedicated to keeping the integrity of the game intact, regardless of the surrounding distractions.
As the Colts continue their push for success, Taylor’s message will undoubtedly resonate in the locker room and among fans, reminding everyone that the heart of football lies in the effort and sacrifice that players make — not in the spectacle or the fame.
With his eyes firmly set on the field, Taylor remains focused on what truly matters: the game. And for the Colts, that mentality is exactly what they need to turn their season around.
The question remains: Can the NFL continue to balance entertainment with the integrity of the game? Jonathan Taylor’s answer is clear — football is about hard work, not flash.
