Mitch Marner's return to Toronto tonight sparks reactions from multiple Maple Leafs

Friday is the first time Marner will play in Toronto wearing Vegas colors, and everyone is already bracing for the volume.

Scott Laughton basically shrugged and warned everyone anyway, saying he is sure it is going to be loud.

Joseph Woll went the softer route, calling it emotional and hoping fans show respect for what Marner meant here.

That split right there is the whole vibe, part tribute, part grudge, all noise.

The first chapter already happened in Vegas, a 6-5 overtime Leafs loss where Marner put up two power-play assists.

Now the second chapter is in Toronto, and it hits different because the building knows every touch, every curl, every little shoulder fake.

Marner comes in rolling with Vegas, sitting at 11-36-47 through 45 games this season.

The fanbase is not calm about this, it feels like one long exhale that turns into a boo the second he touches the puck.

If Craig Berube wants to make Marner work for ice, Laughton is the obvious matchup tool, hard routes, faceoffs, and a stick in every passing lane.

Vegas will still hunt that right-side seam on the man advantage, with Marner sliding pucks into soft spots like he has done forever.

Toronto's kill has to win the first battle and clear, because once Marner gets set, he turns one look into three options.

Between the pipes, Woll's comments matter because this could turn into a weird night where one early goal flips the whole crowd.

The cap story is the other undercurrent, Marner signed an eight-year $96 million deal as part of the sign-and-trade out of town.

Laughton knows trade feelings too, he landed in Toronto from Philadelphia with half his salary retained, and he is still on that five-year $15 million contract.

No matter what the welcome looks like, the puck drops and it turns into a hockey problem, and Friday is the next milestone everyone will be watching.

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