An emotional chapter in Toronto Maple Leafs history will be written on the ice in Las Vegas this Thursday. For the first time since a blockbuster sign-and-trade last summer, former franchise star Mitch Marner will face off against his old team when the Vegas Golden Knights host the Maple Leafs at T-Mobile Arena.
A Reunion Six Months in the Making
The highly anticipated matchup comes more than six months after Marner's departure from Toronto, where he spent the first nine seasons of his NHL career. Despite the buzz among fans, Marner claimed the significance of the game only hit him after scoring in Vegas's 3-2 road win against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.
"Haven't thought about it until now," Marner told reporters in L.A. "I'm sure on the plane ride home it will hit more. I have to look at it as another game, go out and do my thing."
Marner's New Chapter in the Desert
Marner's "thing" continues to be elite production. Entering Thursday's game, his 46 points tied him with Toronto's William Nylander for the team lead at the time of the trade. He has seamlessly transitioned to a top role with the Golden Knights, playing on both the power play and penalty kill.
With Vegas battling injuries, Marner has even seen time centering the second line between Pavel Dorofeyev and Reilly Smith, building chemistry with star Jack Eichel after years of complementing Auston Matthews in Toronto.
The Knights ride a five-game winning streak into the contest and sit first in their division. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs were outside a playoff spot at game time, despite a recent 10-game point streak that was snapped in a loss to Utah.
Brotherhood Beyond the Ice
Despite the competitive fire, Marner emphasized the deep personal bonds formed during his tenure in Toronto. He described his former teammates as "like brothers" and noted he stays in regular contact, checking on their families and sharing holiday greetings.
"I'm still very good buddies with a lot of them," Marner said. "There hasn't been too much talk about hockey, really."
This game serves as a prelude to an even more charged atmosphere expected next Friday, January 23, 2026, during Marner's homecoming at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Leafs are planning a tribute video, though fan reaction is anticipated to be mixed for a player who often bore disproportionate blame for the team's playoff shortcomings.
A Lasting Legacy in Blue and White
Marner's place in Maple Leafs lore is secure. He departed ranking fifth in franchise scoring with 741 points, later passed by Auston Matthews. He sits fourth in assists (420), sixth in total points, and fifth in plus/minus (+128).
Criticized for playoff performance, his 63 post-season points still rank fifth all-time for the club, ahead of legends like Wendel Clark, George Armstrong, and Frank Mahovlich. He joins an exclusive list of all-time Leafs point producers—including Mats Sundin and Darryl Sittler—who did not finish their careers with the team.
For the Leafs, coach Craig Berube may be without winger Nick Robertson (day-to-day, leg injury) for what would be his 200th NHL game. Goaltender Joseph Woll is expected to start for Toronto against his former teammate, setting the stage for a night where history and hockey collide.
