Mitch Marner dedicated nine seasons to the Toronto Maple Leafs, experiencing many memorable moments. He solidified his status as the premier Maple Leafs player born in the Greater Toronto area. “Mitchy Magic” frequently dazzled fans at Scotiabank Arena.
yet, the relationship soured over time. Following years of playoff disappointments and exits, fans began to target Marner as a key reason the team failed to secure another Stanley Cup and overcome the “1967” curse. Concerns for his safety escalated when his car was stolen and his address was made public online, prompting him to hire private security for his family.
Upon returning to Toronto on Friday, Marner received mixed reactions.
For the first time in his career, the Toronto native played as the visitor in a Golden Knights jersey. The moment he touched the puck, the booing from Leafs fans was overwhelming.
“That was expected,” Marner told reporters post-game. “I knew it was coming.” He acknowledged the fan base’s passion and expressed that he still holds “a lot of love for these fans.”
Fans didn’t hold back on Friday: “Benedict Marn-old,” one sign read. Another stated, “Thanks for 9 great regular seasons.” Throughout the game, Marner faced boos whenever he touched the puck, except for a few cheers for his two assists during the Golden Knights’ 6-3 victory.
Yet, the atmosphere turned classy during Marner’s tribute video, which aired during the game’s first TV timeout. The video highlighted his remarkable plays in blue and white, and the crowd responded with applause. As the video concluded with a “Welcome Back Mitch” message, fans gave him a standing ovation while he circled center ice, acknowledging their support. Afterward, Marner spotted a fan in the crowd wearing his jersey and graciously gave them his stick.
This is a dynamic I hope becomes a tradition. Fans deserve the right to boo players who leave their team. It’s part of sports, and they buy tickets for a reason—feel free to express your emotions. These athletes earn significant amounts to compete at the highest levels and chase championships, and booing is simply part of the experience.
yet, when a tribute video is shown, it’s essential to set aside any animosity and show appreciation for that player’s contributions. It’s the perfect time to express gratitude. Toronto handled this perfectly on Friday night. After the video, you can boo to your heart’s content.
It goes without saying, but doxxing, threats, and theft are completely unacceptable. Athletes are people too.
How long will this reception last for Marner? New York Islanders fans consistently boo John Tavares—but thankfully, they’ve stopped throwing rubber snakes on the ice.
Jump ahead:
Games of the week
What I loved this weekend
Hart Trophy candidates
Social post of the week
Stick taps
Biggest games of the week
6:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Unquestionably, the highlight this week will be the Stadium Series on Sunday from Raymond James Stadium. I’m eagerly anticipating the atmosphere, the game in that setting, and all the festivities that accompany it. Disney World is nearby, and the Gasparilla Pirate Festival coincides with it. It promises to be a lively event.
also, don’t miss the second half of the Stadium Series doubleheader on Sunday night after the Bolts-Bruins match. Marner and the Golden Knights will travel to Southern California to face the Anaheim Ducks at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Other key games to watch
MONDAY
7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+
TUESDAY
7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
WEDNESDAY
7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
THURSDAY
7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu
9 p.m. ET | ESPN+
10 p.m. ET | ESPN+
SATURDAY
1 p.m. ET | ABC
3:30 p.m. ET | ABC
5 p.m. ET | ESPN+
7 p.m. ET | NHL Network
10 p.m. ET | ESPN+
What I loved this weekend
The Shoresy Classic recently visited Calgary, where the Flames are favored by Jared Keeso, creator of the “Shoresy” comedy series and the actor portraying the title character.
Keeso’s enthusiasm was evident when he spoke to the crowd (and Flames alumni) before the game:
Holy, he set the tone 🔥 So glad to have you at the ‘Dome, Jared! pic.twitter.com/MXB3zEyeuh
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) January 23, 2026
also, during the X Games, I learned that multiple-time ski big air gold medalist Mac Forehand is the cousin of Trevor Zegras, lives in Utah, and attends Mammoth games. Forehand achieved another gold on Friday night with an incredible 2160 jump—six full rotations!—garnering an impressive 96 from the judges. He’s also set to compete for Team USA at the Olympics. Best of luck, Mac!
Hart Trophy candidates if the season ended today
Another week has passed, and Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and Macklin Celebrini continue to hold the top three positions for NHL MVP.
With 88 points, MacKinnon trails McDavid by two in the scoring race, but his Avs remain ten points ahead of the closest competitor in the standings. Celebrini, despite a quieter week for his standards, boasts 74 points through 50 games.
I expected to see Mac, Mc, and Mack dominate the Hart Trophy race for the rest of the season, but a new challenger is emerging.
Nikita Kucherov has entered the fray with 78 points in 46 games for the Eastern powerhouse Lightning. I’m maintaining my top three for now, but Kucherov is on notice, as he could push Celebrini out of contention with a strong performance.
Social media post of the weekend
This week, I’d like to highlight an outstanding photo featuring two legendary defensemen and a potential future one—Ray Bourque, Rob Blake, and Cale Makar. Not only is it an iconic picture deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame, but Bourque relates to all of us, standing on his toes to avoid looking short next to Makar (even in skates). Short kings unite!
One photo. Eight Norris Trophies.
Rob Blake and Ray Bourque met up with Cale Makar before tonight’s game!
(📸: @Avalanche) pic.twitter.com/zwqe0SL7LL
— NHL (@NHL) January 24, 2026
Honorable mention goes to: How did NJ Devil make this catch?
This will be a poster on your kids’ walls for years to come pic.twitter.com/g5BKyx6ctb
— NJ Devil (@NJDevil00) January 23, 2026
Stick taps
On Thursday, the NHL, NHLPA, and ESPN’s Take Back Sports initiative hosted an innovation competition at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando. Hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students from Florida submitted proposals aimed at growing grassroots hockey, addressing the question: “How can we strengthen the future of hockey by expanding participation, enhancing safe access, and making the game more enjoyable for families and communities?”
Six finalist teams presented their ideas to judges, including NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Two awards were presented: the Innovator Award for the most transformative idea and the Change Maker Award for the most feasible concept.
Hockey Unidos (Claire Maloney, Emma Mussante, Kylie Hafner, and Anthony Costanzo) from the University of South Florida won the Change Maker Award. Their idea involved a culturally tailored hockey pop-up aimed at engaging Latino communities through festivals, food, and family-oriented activities.
AI Hockey Hubs (Demetrius Walker and Adolfo Acevedo) from Florida A&M University claimed the Innovation Award for their concept of a portable, tech-enabled micro-rink capable of transforming small spaces into hockey skill zones using AI-supported training.
Each winning student also received $2,000 and VIP tickets to the 2026 NHL Stadium Series (or a Florida-based home game) along with exclusive access to a special NHL, ESPN, or Disney behind-the-scenes experience.
Congratulations to the winners!
