What happened: Auston Matthews expressed support for Mitch Marner following his run to the Stanley Cup Final last season. Matthews noted that he was happy for his friend on a personal level.

Why it matters: The relationship between the players persists despite Marner moving on to a different roster. Such personal bonds remain a consistent undercurrent across the league.

What to watch: Both players are preparing for the upcoming 2026-27 NHL campaign as the preseason continues.