Leafs fans rain down boo's on Mitch Marner but then give him a standing ovation during video tribute

If you wondered how Mitch Marner would be received by Leafs Nation in his return to Toronto this evening well... it's still not entirely clear.

Marner was boo'ed loudl by Toronto Maple Leafs fans the moment he touched the puck to start tonight's game. And when I mean loudly, I mean LOUDLY.

Check it out:

So there you have it... they hate him, right?

Well, flash forward a few minutes and Marner received a standing ovation and a round of applause following a team video tribute.

Check it out:

So... they love him?

Honestly, it's perfectly fitting that Leafs Nation still has a complicated with Marner as that's how things played out during his 9 years with the team.

And, you know, some things just never change.

While make in town this morning Marner met with the media in Toronto this morning and said... well... not a lot.

Marner was asked several questions about his fallout with the Leafs and the divorce between himself and his hometown team, but he deflected at every turn and essentially shut down any questions of any substance.

When asked why he didn't try to negotiate a deal with the Leafs last season:

“I don’t want to look back anymore. I don’t want to look in the past. If you do look back, you’re not focused on what’s in front of you. Not to kind of not answer (your question), but I feel like I answered that in the summertime and I’m focused on what’s going on right now.”

On being boo'ed by Leafs fans in Vegas this past weekend:

“Like I said after that game, it’s a passionate fanbase and they travel well. They wanted to let their voices be heard. They’re always passionate. They’re going to let you know, and that’s something that you appreciate about it.”

On the reception that he expects to receive in Toronto this evening:

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought about that too much, I’m trying not to. I know it’s going to be a maybe weird cool special moment all in one.”

Again... a whole lot of nothing.

I gotta say though... Marner isn't really to blame here though. I mean, what's he supposed to say? If anything the media is mostly to blame for blowing this game out of proportion. If Sportsnet or TSN are to be believed this is like Gretzky returning to Edmonton or Jordan returning to Chicago...