Vegas Golden Knights in Talks for Mitch Marner
The Vegas Golden Knights are reportedly in talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs to potentially trade for the rights of Mitch Marner, a rising unrestricted free agent. According to sources within the league, this move would enable the Golden Knights to sign the talented All-Star winger prior to the start of free agency on Tuesday.
Should the trade materialize, Vegas could secure Marner with an eight-year contract, which is the maximum allowable under NHL rules. If they choose to wait until free agency officially opens, their offer could only extend to seven years.
Marner’s Career and Recent Developments
Darren Dreger from TSN was the first to break this significant news. Marner, 28, has established himself as one of the Maple Leafs’ key players, ranking fifth on the team’s all-time scoring leaderboard with an impressive 741 points. Drafted in 2015 as the fourth overall pick by the Maple Leafs, he quickly became a fan favorite due to his exceptional skills on the ice, particularly as a playmaker.
However, despite his accolades, Marner has faced considerable criticism regarding the team’s playoff performances, leading to increasing speculation about his future with Toronto. This uncertainty intensified when Marner distanced himself from discussions on a contract extension throughout the previous season and opted not to waive his no-movement clause during last season’s trade deadline, which could have facilitated a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Implications of the Potential Trade
In light of these developments, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving confirmed earlier this week that Marner would indeed explore his options in free agency. If the trade to the Golden Knights takes place, it would mirror last year’s similar transaction in which the Carolina Hurricanes traded for Jake Guentzel’s rights from the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing Guentzel to secure an eight-year contract worth $9 million annually.
The outcome of the negotiations between Vegas and Toronto could significantly reshape the landscape of the NHL as free agency approaches.
