Marner: Leafs tribute will be 'weird, cool, special moment'

Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner expects to feel a range of emotions during the video tribute the Maple Leafs are expected to play in his return to Toronto on Friday.

"That one I've tried not to think of too much," Marner told reporters, including TSN, on Friday. "I'm sure it'll really hit once it starts going and stuff like that. ... I think it's gonna be a cool moment. I'm gonna try to enjoy it, and then try to get back to hockey right away. ... I know it's gonna be a maybe weird, cool, special moment all in one."

Marner left Toronto for Vegas in a sign-and-trade on the eve of free agency this summer. He was drafted by his hometown Maple Leafs and played nine seasons for the team. Marner is sixth in franchise scoring with 741 points, but he received criticism stemming from a lack of playoff success and a contentious 2019 contract negotiation.

The 28-year-old faced Toronto for the first time Jan. 16 in Vegas, and traveling Maple Leafs fans booed him on his new home ice.

When asked if it will be tough to hear boos at Scotiabank Arena, Marner said, "Maybe in a way, but not really. They're gonna probably try to do their thing to get me off my game and try to win their own game. I'm just gonna go out there and, like I said, focus on my thing. I got a lot of great players around me here to help me out. I've been through a couple things like this before. I'll lean on them. Like I said, I'm just gonna try to go out there and just kinda realize it's another hockey game."

Marner admitted he's both excited for the game and relieved at the prospect of putting it in his rearview mirror.

"I think there's maybe both in those moments, in a way," Marner acknowledged. "Excited to go out there and play hockey and do my thing. I'm sure once the game is over, I'll be excited just to have it over with and kind of be done. So yeah, both emotions."