Ex-Maple Leafs player calls Toronto crowd 'embarrassing'

An ex-Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer was not impressed with the crowd reaction to Scott Laughton’s first fight with the team.

Laughton, who was playing in his fourth game with Toronto since being acquired at the trade deadline, dropped the gloves with Ottawa Senators pest Ridley Grieg on Saturday night. It was a spirited affair at centre ice, but ex-Leafs player Jay Rosehill wasn't too happy with how the hometown Toronto crowd reacted.

In his mind, Scotiabank Arena was far too quiet.

"A newly acquired local kid fighting the enemy at centre ice on Saturday night," Rosehill started on social media. "Sounded like the building was empty. It's honestly embarrassing."

A newly acquired local kid fighting the enemy at centre ice on Saturday night.

Sounded like the building was EMPTY.

It’s honestly embarrassing.

— Jay Rosehill (@Jay_D_Rosehill) March 16, 2025

The fight on the Sportsnet broadcast certainly sounded quiet, with the crowd showing a bit of excitement but nothing more than you would see from a fan segment between the whistles. Whether that was a case of the broadcast muting the crowd or simply a quiet group of fans is unsure, but Rosehill made up his decision.

This wouldn't be the first time that the Leafs crowd has been criticized for being quiet. There is a popular belief that the better seats in Scotiabank Arena are usually bought up by businessmen who may not be as rabid as the average Toronto fan. This, in theory, would dull the atmosphere for bigger moments like this fight.

Leafs captain Auston Matthews ripped the crowd for being quiet earlier this year. Popular radio commentator Joe Bowen and NHL personality Paul Bissonnette levied similar sentiments at the beginning of last season.

It isn't that the Leafs aren’t playing good hockey as they sit 10th overall in the NHL with a 39-24-3 record. With the playoffs right around the corner, the hope is that the Toronto crowd can find another level to help create a hostile environment for opponents.