Maple Leafs fans will have to wait until January 23 to see Mitch Marner make his first return to Toronto after joining the Vegas Golden Knights. The NHL released the full 2025-26 schedule, confirming the Golden Knights’ only visit to Toronto will take place on that date, setting the stage for Marner’s first encounter with his former team in his hometown.
Prior to that, Marner, the Toronto-born forward, will face the Maple Leafs for the first time during the season on January 15 in Vegas. This meeting marks a notable moment given Marner’s departure from the Leafs earlier this offseason.
The Context Behind Marner’s Departure and Anticipated Reception
Mitch Marner left Toronto after signing an eight-year contract with the Golden Knights through a sign-and-trade deal before free agency opened. Drafted fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in 2015, Marner quickly became one of the franchise’s standout players statistically. Despite his impressive regular season performances, he never advanced beyond the second round in the playoffs with Toronto.
His first game back at Scotiabank Arena will generate considerable discussion on fan reactions, as opinions may be divided between admiration for his contributions and disappointment over his exit. Marner’s ties to his hometown add an emotional layer to this highly anticipated matchup, both for the player and the fans.
Maple Leafs’ Key Matchups and Season Overview
The Maple Leafs will start their season at home on October 8 against the Montreal Canadiens, a rejuvenated team that recently returned to the playoffs. This early-season rivalry contest is expected to draw significant attention.
Throughout the season, Toronto will face tough challenges, including a first in-person rematch with the Florida Panthers—the team that eliminated them in seven games last playoff round. The Panthers will visit Toronto on January 6 and again on April 11, while the Maple Leafs will visit Florida on December 2.
A notable part of the schedule includes a four-game Western road trip from January 29 to February 3, featuring stops in Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. This trip will come just before the NHL takes a break for the Olympic Games. After the break, the Leafs will have back-to-back road games against Tampa Bay and Florida on February 25 and 26 respectively.
The regular season will end with a final game on April 15 against the Ottawa Senators on the road, revisiting their previous first-round playoff matchup, which Toronto won in six games.
The Complete Toronto Maple Leafs Schedule Highlights
The season will include a variety of contests both at home and on the road. Key home games include matchups against the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins. Road trips will test the team against Pacific and Central Division opponents, like the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks.
Toronto’s full schedule features numerous challenging stretches, stacking games closely in December, January, and March, when playoff positioning becomes critical. The diverse slate will demand consistency from the team and resilience from the players.
Anticipation Builds Over Marner’s Homecoming and Team Prospects
As the date of Mitch Marner’s Maple Leafs return approaches, anticipation is growing among fans and analysts. His presence with the Golden Knights will be a focal point both on the ice and in conversations leading up to the January game. How the Scotiabank Arena crowd reacts will be an intriguing subplot, given Marner’s history and departure circumstances.
From a broader perspective, Toronto’s challenging schedule and key matchups against rival teams will be crucial for their playoff hopes this coming season. Marner’s story adds an emotional highlight to the schedule, marking a significant chapter in the ongoing narratives of both the Maple Leafs and Golden Knights organizations.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Mitch Marner so good?
A. Marner frequently uses his calmness, insight, and imagination to give his teammates chances to move quickly and effectively, putting pressure on the opponents.
Q. Did Mitch Marner play AAA?
A. At six years old, Mitchell went back to Clarington and tried out for the Novice AAA team. Despite being the top scorer in tryouts, the Clarington coach and officials felt he wasn’t mentally prepared to play at that level. Instead, Mitch joined the Novice AAA team for the Lindsay Wolves at the same age.