Breadcrumb Trail Links
SportsHockeyNHLToronto Maple Leafs Get the latest from Terry Koshan straight to your inbox Sign Up
Published Jan 22, 2026 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Mitch Marner of the Vegas Golden Knights jokes around as he warms up before a game against the St. Louis Blues. Getty ImagesArticle content
Mitch Marner might want to invest in some earplugs.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors
Article content
If the reaction on X to our story on Maple Leafs players discussing Marner’s first game as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights at Scotiabank Arena is any indication, Marner will be booed loudly and lustily on Friday night.
Article content
Article content
Goalie Joseph Woll said after the Leafs lost 2-1 in overtime against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night that “hockey is a place of respect and I hope that the fans pay him respect” as Marner makes his initial return to SBA.
Other Leafs including forwards Scott Laughton, defencemen Brandon Carlo and Simon Benoit and coach Craig Berube weighed in on Marner’s return.
Based on replies, Woll’s desire doesn’t sound like it’s going to be fulfilled. Keep in mind, too, that when the Leafs and Golden Knights met last Thursday in Las Vegas, Toronto fans in attendance booed Marner during the game at T-Mobile Arena. Marner came out of it just fine, recording two assists in the Knights’ 6-5 overtime win.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Play Video
Marner will play in Toronto for the first time since last May 18, when the Leafs were crushed 6-1 in Game 7 of the second round against the Florida Panthers. One the final images of Marner in a Leafs sweater was him yelling at his teammates during a stoppage in play after Toronto fell behind in the decisive game.
Some six weeks later, Marner was gone, dealt the Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade that brought centre Nicolas Roy to Toronto.
Your Midday Sun
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The Golden Knights start a four-game trip in Boston against the Bruins on Thursday night and during the morning, Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy touched on Marner’s first game in Toronto.
“I think Mitch will just have to be ready for what comes his way,” Cassidy told media. “Jack (Eichel) went through it in Buffalo a little bit. Petro (Alex Pietrangelo) has been in our room, he left St. Louis. (Marner) has some people he can talk to about it. Stoney (Mark Stone) in Ottawa. I don’t if they’re all comparable, but they are all good players that left that have to go back to the city they left for the first time. There will be a little bit of, I don’t know if anxiety is the right word, but you’re always wondering how it will work out.
Ready for whatever happens
“I won’t have any strong message for (Marner). I think he knows the city better than I do and hopefully he plays well and the team plays well for him. That’s what I believe will happen because we’ve had guys go through it. They’re going to be pulling for Mitch and they will be ready to go and they’re going to want to win one for him.”
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The Leafs are planning to recognize Marner at some point during the game.
A sample of what some people had to say in responses to our story:
– Nope, he shafted the Leafs, he’s going to get the full wrath
– Sure I totally agree. Just not tomorrow night. Do a video next time. Let the fans hate
– Nope, he blamed the fans and now he better expect what he gets
– Just like Marner paid the fans respect before leaving saying his family was in danger
– Mild applause during the tribute, booing during the game
– Just based on how he got booed in his own arena, I’m expecting record levels of booing when he hits the ice.
– Would not be surprised if fans boo his video tribute as well
– He didn’t pay the fans respect when he lumped all of them in with the small amount of loud meanies online (which he claimed he never looked at anyway).
n He didn’t pay the fans any respect why should we?
X: @koshtorontosun
Article content
Share this article in your social network