For the first time in his career, Mitch Marner won’t open an NHL season as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Now a member of the Vegas Golden Knights after a sign-and-trade on July 1, Marner will make his highly anticipated return to Scotiabank Arena on Jan. 23, 2026.

After his ninth season with the Maple Leafs ended in another disappointing playoff exit, Marner said he’s ready to face whatever comes his way when he returns to Toronto.

“I know it will be weird walking into the visitors’ side for once,” Marner said to NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger at the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour on Tuesday. “So, yeah, we’ll see how it goes. I mean, when that moment comes, we’ll take it head-on and see what happens.

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