The hockey world is buzzing with anticipation as one of the most electrifying storylines of the upcoming NHL season begins to unfold. Mitch Marner, the dynamic forward who spent nine memorable years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, is set to make his highly anticipated return to Scotiabank Arena—but this time, wearing the gold and steel of the Vegas Golden Knights.

The shockwaves from his last-minute trade have barely settled, yet fans and analysts alike are already circling the date when Marner will face his former team in what promises to be an emotionally charged showdown.

With Bruce Cassidy, the ever-candid head coach of the Golden Knights, dropping tantalizing hints about an early-season clash, excitement and speculation are at an all-time high. While the official NHL schedule remains under wraps for now, Cassidy’s insider tease has only fueled the fire, leaving supporters from both sides eager for the inevitable confrontation.

Marner’s decision to embark on a new chapter in Vegas, complete with a massive eight-year contract, marks a turning point not just for his career, but for the Leafs and Knights as well. As the countdown to this high-stakes reunion begins, all eyes are on Marner and the reception that awaits him in Toronto.

Photo credit: Hockey Patrol

Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy gave fans a sneak peek as to what to expect when Mitch Marner faces off against his former team, the Maple Leafs; and when.

Traded a day before free agency, Mitch Marner decided to make a last-minute decision to accept a trade to the Vegas Golden Knights via a sign and trade deal, with him signing an 8-year, $96-million extension upon arrival; and he seems ready to move past the last nine years.

There’s a lot of anticipation for what Marner is going to do this season, and with all eyes on him as well as his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, it’s going to be exciting though tense when both teams meet in 2025-26.

Bruce Cassidy: Head coach by day, insider by night

We don’t know when the two will play this season, and it’s atypical to see Vegas and Toronto square off more than once or twice a season (typically a home and home venture spread throughout the year).

But according to the Golden Knights head coach, fans might be in for a treat sooner than expected.

Bruce Cassidy was a guest on Leafs Morning Take and although the NHL schedule doesn’t drop officially until July 16th, he gave fans a sneak peek as to when Marner and the Leafs will clash; and it’s sooner than expected:

Um, I think we’re in Toronto early on in the season, so we’ll see how it goes by then [referring to Eichel and Marner being linemates]

Co-host Nick Alberga was quick to remind Cassidy that the schedule hadn’t been released yet and that he was giving some insider info, which for fans and the media; is a nice little treat.

Vegas and Toronto could meet before November

While it’s not expected that Vegas is going to be one of the teams in October, it wouldn’t be too out of the ordinary to see the two face off in November. Toronto has played teams such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and St. Louis (twice) in the early days of the season, so Vegas in place of one of those isn’t too odd.

With the game being in Toronto, expect a hostile atmosphere and while there was a lot of good that Marner brought to the table in his time with the Maple Leafs, his lack of playoff production and attitude issues soured his relationship with the fans; he might not get that hero’s welcome that some others might receive.

Marner, 27, had 741 points in 657 games for the Maple Leafs in his nine-year career (221 goals, 520 assists) and was one of the premier players in the NHL for the better part of the decade.

But for now, he gets to focus on being a member of Vegas and trying to help them win another Stanley Cup.

He just might need to wear earplugs though for the first game back, because it’s likely going to get loud.