Maple Leafs move Marner to Golden Knights in sign-and-trade: reports
The NHL off-season is in full swing, and one of the biggest headlines making waves in the hockey world is the impending trade of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. After a successful career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Marner is set to call Sin City home as he embarks on a new chapter in his hockey journey.
Reports indicate that Marner has agreed to an eight-year, $96-million contract with the Golden Knights, a deal that would have been impossible had he hit unrestricted free agency. The specifics of the trade between Toronto and Vegas are still unclear, but there have been rumors swirling about the potential inclusion of depth centre Nicolas Roy in the deal.
Marner, a Thornhill, Ontario native, has had an illustrious career with the Maple Leafs, racking up four 90-plus point seasons and surpassing the 100-point mark for the first time in 2024-25. However, despite his regular-season success, Marner has faced criticism for his performance in the playoffs. In 70 postseason games with the Leafs, he posted 63 points, but the team only made it past the second round twice during his tenure.
The pressure of playing in Toronto, with its passionate fan base and media scrutiny, seemed to take a toll on Marner, who became a lightning rod for criticism in the city. Despite his on-ice talent, his inability to deliver in clutch moments was a point of contention for many Leafs fans.
The 28-year-old winger’s last contract, negotiated with former GM Kyle Dubas, included a full no-movement clause in its final two seasons, limiting the Leafs’ options in terms of trading him. Reports suggest that Toronto tried to move Marner to the Carolina Hurricanes before the trade deadline in March 2025, but he vetoed the deal.
As Marner prepares for a fresh start in Vegas, the Maple Leafs are making moves of their own. They recently acquired winger Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth and re-signed forward Steven Lorentz to a three-year extension. The team also signed Matthew Knies to a six-year contract, solidifying their roster ahead of the upcoming season.
In other NHL news, the Florida Panthers locked up defenseman Aaron Ekblad to an eight-year deal worth $48.8 million, and the New York Islanders re-signed defenceman Alexander Romanov to an eight-year contract worth $50 million. The Minnesota Wild acquired winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the Detroit Red Wings, while the Edmonton Oilers re-signed star defenceman Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $42-million contract.
With the NHL free agency period set to kick off, fans can expect more player movement and roster changes as teams gear up for the upcoming season. As Mitch Marner heads to Vegas and other stars secure their futures with new contracts, the hockey world is buzzing with excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead.
