The upcoming NHL season is already brimming with anticipation, but one date stands out above the rest for Toronto hockey fans: January 23rd.

On this night, a familiar face will return to Scotiabank Arena—but not in the blue and white jersey that supporters once cheered for.

Mitch Marner, once a cornerstone of the Toronto Maple Leafs and adored by fans across the city, is set to make his highly anticipated return as a member of the rival Las Vegas Golden Knights.

The reaction? No one quite knows what to expect.

After a tumultuous offseason and a headline-grabbing decision to leave Toronto, Marner’s homecoming promises to be anything but ordinary.

Rumors are swirling about the atmosphere that will greet him, and speculation is mounting over how Leafs fans will respond when their former star steps onto the ice in enemy colors.

Will the crowd show respect for his years of dedication, or will emotions boil over in dramatic fashion?

Marner himself has admitted the situation feels “bizarre,” but the full story behind his concerns—and the real reasons for his departure—remain hidden beneath the surface.

As the date approaches, one thing is certain: this is a moment that no hockey fan will want to miss.

Photo credit: Imagn Images

Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner recently spoke to the media about his return to the city as a member of the rival Las Vegas Golden Knights.

Mitch Marner went from beloved to hated in Toronto in the span of just one Summer. Why? Well, it’s all thanks to his decision to go and play for the Las Vegas Golden Knights.

Going into the offseason, fans saw the writing on the wall. After all, the forward was set to become a free agent, and playoff failures were taking their toll.

It even felt like general manager Brad Treliving was relieved by Marner’s decision, making this a lot more mutual than some fans might think.

Mitch Marner on his return to Toronto

When Marner returns to Toronto on January 23rd, there is a suspicion that Leafs fans will not be particularly well-behaved. For instance, jerseys and other objects could end up on the ice.

While speaking to NHL.com about his return, Marner did express a little bit of concern, noting that it is going to be very bizarre.

«I know it will be weird walking into the visitors side for once,»Marner said. «So, yeah, we’ll see how it goes. I mean, when that moment comes, we’ll take it head-on and see what happens.

Meanwhile, Marner understands that the players on the Golden Knights have his back, and that family will be present in the arena that night.

«The good thing is that I know I’ll be going in there with a lot of guys on my side and 22 guys that are willing to do whatever it takes to win a hockey game. And I know there will be a lot of loved ones in the fans as well in the arena.

«I’m sure once the season gets going I won’t think about it as much just because I like to be in the present, in the moment. But once that week hits, I’m sure it will start hitting about what the thoughts and feeling might be like.»

January 23rd is going to be a very interesting night, and only time will tell whether or not Leafs fans are on their best behavior.

If you are a Leafs fan, you will definitely be marking this game on your calendar.