Mitch Marner Aside, Here Are the Key Return Dates for Several Former Maple Leafs

Following Mitch Marner's departure in the deal with the Vegas Golden Knights that saw the Leafs bring back centre Nicolas Roy, there was much speculation that the league might look to capitalize on the aftermath and schedule Vegas to visit Toronto early on in the season.

Unfortunately, the league opted to delay Marner's return to Toronto until January 23rd, 2026, which means that much of the heat will have died down by then. Don't get it twisted, though -- Marner's return will still be a highly anticipated event.

Marner aside, however, there are several other members of last year's Maple Leafs who are scheduled to visit Toronto, including two prospects who are now with the Boston Bruins in Fraser Minten and Alex Steeves.

Per the recently released 2025-26 schedule, Steeves, who departed as a UFA this summer, and Fraser Minten, who was traded to the Bruins in the deadline deal for Brandon Carlo, will make their returns to Toronto on November 8th.

In addition, another return date to be aware of will be the return of Pontus Holmberg, who signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning as a UFA this summer. Holmberg will make his return to Toronto on December 8th.

Just a few days alter, the Leafs will welcome Ryan Reaves back to Toronto. Aside from Marner, Reaves was perhaps the most disgruntled Leaf on the move, so look for him to be a little extra chippy in that affair.

Matt Murray, who signed with the Seattle Kraken this summer, is the first departed Leaf from last season who is slated to return to Toronto on October 18th, while former Leafs prospect Nikita Grebenkin, who was traded in the Scott Laughton deal, won't return to Toronto until March 2nd, 2026.