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National Post
16-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Date set for Mitch Marner's return to face the Maple Leafs as NHL schedule released
Get those blue Sharpies out and circle Jan. 23 on your calendar, Leafs Nation. Article content On that Friday night, Mitch Marner will make his return to Scotiabank Arena for the first time since becoming a member of the Vegas Golden Knights. Article content Article content It will be lone visit in the 2025-26 regular season by Marner, who sits fifth in Maple Leafs franchise scoring with 741 points. The only other way Marner would play at Scotiabank Arena next season would be if the Golden Knights and Leafs met in the Stanley Cup final, but we would hate to get too far ahead of ourselves. Article content The Leafs' 2025-26 regular season gets underway on Oct. 8, when they play host to the Montreal Canadiens. The Leafs' following game is their first on the road, on Oct. 11 in Detroit against the Red Wings. Article content The Leafs will make their only visit to Vegas on Jan. 15. Article content Article content How Marner will be received when he steps on to the ice at Scotiabank Arena in colours other than the Leafs' blue and white will be fascinating to witness, considering the way his decade with the organization ended. Article content Marner, picked fourth overall by the Leafs in 2015 before he was returned to the London Knights for a final season in the Ontario Hockey League, didn't want to talk contract with the Leafs throughout last season as free agency on July 1 loomed. Article content An attempt by Leafs general manager Brad Treliving to trade Marner didn't result in a successful conclusion — he refused, as was his right, to waive his no-move clause in March that would have helped facilitate a trade with Vegas and Carolina and would have brought Mikko Rantanen to Toronto. Article content Once the season ended with yet another disappointing conclusion to the playoffs, Marner was non-committal when asked about his hockey future, though it quickly became clear that he would not be re-signing with the Leafs. Article content Article content Treliving was able to work out a sign-and-trade with Vegas, getting centre Nicolas Roy in return for Marner, who signed an eight-year, $96-million US pact ($12-million average annual value) with his new club. Article content Marner's playoff production never matched what he did in the regular season, and he became a source of great frustration within the fan base. We also note that as of Wednesday, Marner has more than 634,000 followers on Instagram. Article content
Edmonton Journal
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Mitch Marner posts goodbye message to Maple Leafs, fan base on Instagram
Article content 'Leaving isn't easy. This city is where I grew up, where I fell in love with hockey, and where I've had the incredible honour of living out my childhood dream. Wearing the Maple Leaf on my chest wasn't just about playing for a team, it was about representing my home.' Marner, drafted by the Leafs fourth overall in 2015, then touched on the failure to help the Leafs win a Stanley Cup. 'When I was drafted, all I wanted was to help bring a Stanley Cup to Toronto,' Marner said. 'That was always the goal, and I came up short. I know how much this team means to this city, and I know the expectations that come with wearing this jersey. 'I gave everything I had, but in the end, it wasn't enough. That's hard to admit, because I wanted it so badly, for all of us.' Portions of the fan base have given Marner a rough side on social media, to say the least, and criticism hasn't been limited to hockey, but the 28-year-old addressed Leafs Nation with thanks.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
John Tavares Turns Heads with First Words After Maple Leafs Decision
John Tavares Turns Heads with First Words After Maple Leafs Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the offseason knowing changes were needed after winning the Atlantic Division but blowing a 2-0 second-round series lead to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. This was the time to act, with two of their core four players — Mitch Marner and John Tavares — set to become free agents. Advertisement Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving told reporters on Thursday that he expects Marner to hit the open market on July 1. "Unless there's a significant change here, I would anticipate that he's gonna hit the market," Treliving said. "And we'll see where things go." Meanwhile, things were a bit clearer with Tavares. On Thursday, Treliving said the former Leafs captain wants to stay in Toronto, and the team wants to keep him. Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) warms Klement-Imagn Images Fast forward to Friday, and the Maple Leafs made things official, signing Tavares to a four-year contract extension, with an average annual value (AAV) of $4.38 million. Shortly after news broke, Tavares shared a statement via @johntavaresfdn. Coming to Toronto 7 years ago has been better than I ever anticipated. The challenge of helping bring the Cup back to the many generations of Leafs Fans and Leafs Nation is an incredible opportunity that pushes myself and my teammates everyday. TO is an incredible place to play and it's an honour to pull on the Maple Leaf and wear the blue and white. I'm thrilled to announce that I'm committed to four more years! My family and I are excited to continue our journey here in Toronto. The best is yet to come! Go Leafs Go!' -JT Toronto fans were quick to leave comments, with many happy to see Tavares take a team-friendly deal, coming down from his $11 million AAV to remain with the team. Advertisement "First person to take a deal that PROVES you want to be here. Now that's a leader. Glad to have you JT!" One fan said. "You are such an amazing leaf buddy, love having you in the blue and white!!" another wrote. "you absolute stud, finally the times are changing someone taking a discount for the big picture." added another. "Thank you for putting the team first. The fans appreciate it more than you know," said a fan. "JT the man!!!" Wrote one. "What a discount. Johnny, you're now a hometown hero forever. Let's get that Cup. BeLeaf," said a fan. Related: Mitch Marner's Five-Word Message After Former Maple Leaf Calls It a Career This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Reuters
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
John Tavares signs 4-year extension with Maple Leafs
June 27 - Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares signed a four-year contract extension worth $17.52 million on Friday. Tavares recorded 74 points (38 goals, 36 assists) in 75 games last season with Toronto while playing in the final campaign of a seven-year, $77 million contract. The 34-year-old Ontario native was set to hit unrestricted free agency as of Tuesday. "Coming to Toronto 7 years ago has been better than I ever anticipated," Tavares wrote on his foundation's Instagram page. "The challenge of helping bring the Cup back to the many generations of Leafs Fans and Leafs Nation is an incredible opportunity that pushes myself and my teammates everyday. TO is an incredible place to play and it's an honor to pull on the Maple Leaf and wear the blue and white. "I'm thrilled to announce that I'm committed to four more years! My family and I are excited to continue our journey here in Toronto. The best is yet to come!" Tavares has totaled 1,114 points (494 goals, 620 assists) in 1,184 career games with the New York Islanders (2009-18) and Maple Leafs. He was selected by the Islanders with the top overall pick of the 2009 NHL Draft. --Field Level Media
Toronto Sun
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Letters to the Editor, June 23, 2025
OFFSIDE Re 'The mystery of Marner' (Steve Simmons, June 18): Steve Simmons again has spoken for Leafs Nation without any authority to do so. Yes, you and your media buddies don't like Marner; you all have concluded he's not liked in Toronto. You don't realize that the disdain he shows you and the media is well justified — for years you've blamed Mitch and Auston Matthews for the playoff failures and they don't deserve that blame. It's a team game and our team depth has not been good enough. They have always played well. We're the only team that took Florida to seven games. So Mitch is leaving, Steve got his wish … thanks a lot! This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Dave Graham Newmarket (You don't enjoy playoff runs?) SELF SERVICE Re 'The mystery of Marner' (Steve Simmons, June 18): Regarding the question ''How did such a bright prospect turn into one of the most unpopular players in Leafs history?' — it's easy to understand! The way he played showed he only cared about money and playing well during the regular season! We all saw how horribly he played during every playoff, not wanting to get hurt, avoiding body contact at all costs! So not only one of the most unpopular players but one of the most selfish! Dr. Steve Starkman Toronto (That about sums it up) DEPORT THE CRIMINALS Why are taxpayers forced to foot court system costs for criminals who come to Canada from other countries and get caught ripping off Canadians? Why aren't they immediately deported and banned from ever returning by using facial recognition systems? When is the system going to start bolstering the rights of law-abiding Canadian citizens while giving no rights to criminals who come here to take advantage of us? Donna Miller Markham (It's one of the reasons they come here is because of our broken system) Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs Relationships Editorials
