mitch marner spent nine seasons with Toronto Maple Leafs. There were some very good times. He established himself as the greatest Maple Leafs player born in the Greater Toronto Area. “Mitchie Magic” was often at full strength at Scotiabank Arena.
But the relationship turned sour. After years of playoff heartbreak and early exits, the fan base took Marner to task. According to fans, he was one of the reasons why the team ultimately failed to capture another Stanley Cup and break the “1967” curse. Security concerns began to increase. Marner’s car is stolen and its address leaked online. He needed personal security for his family.
The scrutiny hasn’t stopped from fans in one of the largest and most intense hockey markets in the world. Comments and trolls continued on social media. A fresh start seemed inevitable and necessary for the star player. So, Marner left his hometown team and joined vegas golden knights Through the trade, an eight-year deal was inked at $12 million in average annual value.
Marner got two very different reactions when he returned to Toronto on Friday.
For the first time in his NHL career, the Toronto native was a visitor wearing a Golden Knights sweater. The first time he touched the puck, the Leafs faithful caught him and gave him a standing ovation.
“He was fine,” Marner told reporters after the game. “I knew this was coming.” Marner said that the Leafs have a passionate fan base and that he still has “a lot of love for these fans.”
Leafs fans brought cheer Friday: One sign read, “Benedict Marn-old.” Another wrote, “Thank you for 9 great regular seasons.” And yes, Marner was booed throughout the game whenever he touched the puck, except for the cheers from his two assistants. Golden Knights beat Leafs 6-3.
But when Marner’s tribute video aired during the first TV timeout it was all perfect. The video included highlights of his incredible plays while wearing the blue and white and fans applauded. When the video ended with the message “Welcome back Mitch”, fans gave Marner a standing ovation while he skated around center ice welcoming the crowd. After the game, Marner noticed a fan wearing his jersey in the crowd and gave him his stick.
This is a formula I would love to see become a tradition. Fans have every right to berate the player who left them out. This is a game. You paid for the ticket. Boo to your heart’s content. These athletes are being paid millions of dollars to play at the highest level and win championships – trolling and booing come with the territory.
But when that tribute video hits, the hate goes away and you’re given a moment of respect for that player’s contributions. This is your moment to say thank you. Toronto made the right conclusion in that regard on Friday night. Now you can scold him as long as you want during the game.
It should be taken for granted and goes without saying, but looting, physical harm and theft are simply not okay. Athletes are humans too.
Who knows how long this will last for Marner? New York Islanders fans still boo John Tavares –but hey, at least they don’t do that throw rubber snakes on the ice now and.
Proceed:
games of the week
what i liked this weekend
Hart Trophy candidates
social post of the week
paste tap
biggest games of the week
6:30 pm ET | espn
Obviously, the biggest game this week will be the Stadium Series on Sunday from Raymond James Stadium. I can’t wait for that environment, the games to be played in that environment and the fun to be had around it. Disney World is only a short distance away, and the Gasparilla Pirate Festival will be happening around the same time. This should be a perfect party.
Also, don’t forget about the second half of the Stadium Series doubleheader on Sunday night after the Bolts-Bruins game. Marner and his Golden Knights teammates will travel to Southern California to compete anaheim ducks (9:30 PM ET, ESPN).
Other major sports to watch
monday
7 PM ET | espn+
7 PM ET | espn+
8:30 PM ET | espn+
Tuesday
7 PM ET | espn+
Wednesday
7 PM ET | espn+
Thursday
7 PM ET | espn+
7 PM ET | espn+
7 PM ET | espn+
7:30 pm ET | ESPN+/Hulu
9 PM ET | espn+
10 PM ET | espn+
Saturday
1pm ET | abc
3:30 PM ET | abc
5 PM ET | espn+
7 PM ET | nhl network
10 PM ET | espn+
what i liked this weekend
The Shoresea Classic recently made a stop in Calgary, and the Flames are the favorite team of Jared Keeso, creator of the “Shoresee” comedy show and actor who plays the title character.
Kieso’s passion shone through when he addressed the crowd (and Flames alumni) before the game:
Holy, they set the tone 🔥 So glad to have you in ‘Dom, Jared! pic.twitter.com/MXB3zEyeuh
– Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) 23 January 2026
A fun thing I learned while covering the Trevor ZegrasLives in Utah and attends Mammoth Games. Forehand won another gold medal on Friday night with an unreal jump of 2160 – six full rotations! – For an impressive 96 score from the judges. He will also compete for Team USA in the Olympics. Good luck, Mac!
Hart Trophy candidates if the season ended today
Another week down and nathan mackinnon, connor mcdavid And McLean Celebrini Remain in the top three spots for NHL MVP.
MacKinnon’s 88 points are two points behind McDavid for the scoring lead, but 10 points ahead of the next best team at the top of the Avs standings. Celebrini has had a relatively quiet week by his standards, but the 19-year-old has 74 points in 50 games.
Here I thought I’d just order Mac, Mac and Mac in the race for the Hart Trophy for the rest of the season – but a new contender is fast on the way.
he is Nikita KucherovWho has 78 points in 46 games for Eastern juggernaut Lightning. I’m sticking to my same three this week, but Kucherov is officially on watch because he could go on a streak and knock Celebrini out of the running.
weekend social media posts
Going off the board here and pulling out this excellent picture of two Mount Rushmore-caliber defensemen and the potential future of Ray Bourque, Rob Blake and more. black capricorn. Both because it’s an iconic photo that should probably be in the Hall of Fame somewhere, but also because Bourque is exactly like us, standing on his tippy-toes and trying not to look too young in the photo (albeit with Makar in skates). All little kings do it, there’s no shame in it!
A photo. Eight Norris Trophies.
Rob Blake and Ray Bourke catch up with Cale Makar ahead of tonight’s game!
(📸: @avalanche) pic.twitter.com/zwqe0SL7LL
– NHL (@NHL) 24 January 2026
And an honorable mention this week: How did the NJ Devils make this catch?
This will be a poster on your kids’ walls for years to come pic.twitter.com/g5BKyx6ctb
– NJ Devil (@NJDevil00) 23 January 2026
paste tap
On Thursday, the NHL, NHLPA and ESPN’s Take Back Sports initiative held an innovation competition at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando. Hundreds of undergraduate and graduate college students at Florida State submitted ideas to help grow the game of hockey at the grassroots level and tackle the question: “How can we strengthen the future of hockey by expanding participation, improving safe access, and making the game more enjoyable and engaging for families and communities?”
It was reduced to six teams, who presented in front of judges and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Two awards were given: Innovator Award (most different and transformative idea) and Change Maker Award (most viable and ready-to-implement award).
The University of South Florida’s Hockey Unidos (Claire Maloney, Emma Musante, Kylie Hafner and Anthony Costanzo) won the Change Maker Award. Their idea included a culturally tailored hockey pop-up designed to engage Latino communities through festivals, food, language and family-driven activities.
Florida A&M University’s AI Hockey Hubs (Demetrius Walker and Adolfo Acevedo) won the Innovation Award. Their idea was a portable, tech-enabled micro-rink that could transform small spaces into hockey skills arenas using AI-assisted training experiences.
Each winning student won $2,000 and a VIP ticket experience to the 2026 NHL Stadium Series (or a Florida-based home game) as well as VIP access to an exclusive NHL, ESPN or Disney behind-the-scenes experience.
Congratulations to the winners!
