Mitch Marner has been making headlines this offseason after finishing his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs and joining the Vegas Golden Knights in one of the most talked-about moves in recent NHL months. In this context, anticipation is growing about when these two teams will face each other.
The Golden Knights finally got what they had long been looking for with Marner’s arrival, following a sign-and-trade deal with the Maple Leafs. He landed in Paradise on an eight-year, $96 million contract. It will be a long journey for the former linemate of Auston Matthews in Toronto.
A new chapter brings new challenges. Marner will have to face his former team, and head coach Bruce Cassidy dropped a hint about when this heated matchup between Toronto and Vegas might happen during the 2025–26 NHL season, with the 28-year-old forward set to be at the center of attention.
What did Cassidy say about Marner facing Toronto?
“I think we’ll be in Toronto early in the season, so we’ll see how it goes by then (referring to Marner),” Cassidy revealed when he appeared on Leafs Morning Take. His comment caused a bit of a stir, considering the schedule has not yet been released.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy of the Vegas Golden Knights speaks during a news conference after the team’s 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild at T-Mobile Arena on January 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In that context, insider Nick Alberga pointed out to Cassidy that his statement could be interpreted as inside information since the league’s schedule hadn’t been officially published yet. Far from trying to hide any secrets, the Golden Knights’ coach’s comment seemed more like speculation.
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When will the NHL schedule be released?
Despite Cassidy’s juicy hint about when Marner might face his former team, fans will have to wait a bit longer to know if that prediction holds up. The schedule won’t be officially released until July 16, so it’s not possible to say with complete certainty that the teams will meet early in the season.
