Mitch Marner's tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs has officially concluded as the team has reached a sign-and-trade agreement with the Vegas Golden Knights. This move comes as a significant development in the NHL landscape, with reports confirming the details of the transaction.
As part of the agreement, Marner has signed an impressive eight-year contract worth $96 million, translating to an average annual value (AAV) of $12 million. This lucrative deal reflects his status as one of the elite players in the league, which the Golden Knights hope will bolster their roster.
While the specifics of the return package for Toronto have not yet been disclosed, this significant move signals a shift in the Maple Leafs' trajectory as they look to reshape their team after years of playoff disappointments. Marner, now 28 years old, has spent the past nine seasons with the Maple Leafs since being drafted fourth overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by his hometown team.
During his time in Toronto, Marner has established himself as a prolific scorer, amassing 741 points in 657 regular-season games and contributing 63 points in 70 playoff contests. However, despite his individual success, Marner’s tenure has been marred by the team's inability to advance deep into the playoffs. The most recent disappointment came when the Maple Leafs suffered a 6-1 defeat against the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of their second-round series this past season.
Marner was part of a core group that included Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander, and Morgan Rielly, a collective that managed to advance past the first round only twice in eight seasons. This core group faced challenges, particularly in winner-take-all scenarios, consistently falling short with six losses in such matches.
Before this trade, Marner was the third-highest-paid player on the Maple Leafs, earning $10.9 million per season—a contract he signed in September 2019 under the management of former General Manager Kyle Dubas. His decision to decline a potential trade to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Mikko Rantanen in March further highlights his commitment to the team, although ultimately, this agreement marks a new chapter in Marner's career.
In terms of his impact on the franchise, Marner ranks fifth all-time on the Maple Leafs' scoring list with a total of 221 goals and 520 assists. He trails behind legendary players such as Mats Sundin, Darryl Sittler, Dave Keon, and Borje Salming. Interestingly, Auston Matthews ranks sixth on this list with 727 points, showcasing the offensive talent the team has boasted in recent years.
Overall, this sign-and-trade represents a significant shift in both Marner's career and the Maple Leafs' future strategies, as they will look to build a roster capable of overcoming past playoff failures. The Vegas Golden Knights, on the other hand, add a dynamic player in Marner who has the potential to make a considerable impact on their quest for the Stanley Cup.
