Knights get their guy: Mitch Marner headed to Vegas via sign-and-trade

Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) takes a shot against Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) and Alex Pietrangelo during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Las Vegas. Photo by: David Becker / AP

The Golden Knights pulled off their latest blockbuster move Monday afternoon in landing prized winger Mitch Marner via trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 28-year-old perennial all-star was set to become a free agent after nine seasons with his hometown Maple Leafs, but the Golden Knights avoided a potential bidding war with other suitors by agreeing to a sign-and-trade. Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman broke the news of the move that had been heavily rumored in recent days.

TSN's Bob McKenzie reported that Vegas will send center Nic Roy to Toronto in return for a player who ranked fifth in the recently concluded NHL season with 102 points during the regular season. Roy had 166 career points in six seasons with the Golden Knights.

Marner’s new contract in Vegas will reportedly pay him $12 million annually for the maximum length of eight years.

There was speculation that Marner could have fetched as much as $14 million on the open market, especially with the NHL salary cap expected to continue to rise over the next few seasons.

Vegas is likely to have two of the highest-paid players in the league for nearly the next decade with the team having stated its desire to lock up current star Jack Eichel to an extension this summer.

Eichel is extension-eligible beginning tomorrow. Eichel and Marner profile similarly as elite two-way forwards who count playmaking as their greatest strength.

They also both ended on sour terms with their first franchise, as the Toronto fan base’s frustration with Marner’s lack of scoring during recent playoff exits in some ways mirrors the criticism Eichel got when he left the Buffalo Sabres.     

An Eichel-Marner one-two punch should rank among the better top duos in the league. It’s the second deal the Golden Knights have pulled on the eve of free agency, joining the trade that sent defenseman Nic Hague to the Nashville Predators on Sunday.

This is a developing story. Check back to lasvegassun.com later for more information.