Mitch Marner joins Golden Knights ahead of the 2025 NHL Free Agency, marking a striking move as the superstar winger leaves the Toronto Maple Leafs and secures an eight-year contract with Vegas. The trade, which also involves the Maple Leafs acquiring forward Nicolas Roy, not only shakes up both teams’ rosters but brings major attention to Marner’s reasons for heading to Sin City.
Vegas Lands a Top Talent Before Free Agency Opens
The Vegas Golden Knights succeeded in securing Mitch Marner—the most coveted name before the 2025 free agent market even began—when the franchise executed a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner is set to line up alongside Jack Eichel, creating a formidable combination on the Golden Knights’ top line. Coming off a 100-point campaign with Toronto, Marner’s arrival is expected to amplify an already strong Vegas lineup, which boasts Eichel performing at a career peak.
For Marner, the decision to move wasn’t only about joining forces with elite teammates. While recognizing the abundance of skilled players in the NHL, his driving factor was the Golden Knights’ consistent winning culture. Despite the team’s brief history in the league, Vegas has developed a reputation for success, which played a pivotal role in Marner’s choice.
“Obviously the winning regimen they’ve put up through the past five years, really since they’ve been in the League,”
—Mitch Marner, via NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger
“They’ve got such a competitive team every year. They’ve got some good players here.”
—Mitch Marner, via NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger
Golden Knights Make Marner Their Top Target
Vegas has proven it can win without a superstar posting a 100-point season, having seen only one player in franchise history surpass 80 points in a single year. Yet, management saw an opportunity in Marner’s elite abilities and felt adding such a high-impact player could elevate the team‘s performance even further, regardless of their recent results.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed that their eagerness to sign Marner would not have changed based on their playoff success, underscoring Marner’s value to the organization as a rare and exceptional talent.
“We would have pursued Mitch Marner [even] if we’d won the Stanley Cup,”
—Kelly McCrimmon, Golden Knights general manager
Marner Shares His Perspective on Leaving Toronto
The decision for Marner to leave Toronto was personal and difficult. As a native of the city, he spent nine years with the Maple Leafs, building his career and reputation while facing both public scrutiny and fan devotion. With the end of the season, however, Marner and his family reassessed their priorities, seeking a location that would not only advance his on-ice career but provide a new environment for his family.
“I was so grateful to play there for nine years. I said at my end-of-the-year interview there that they took a risky chance on a small kid from Toronto that is forever grateful to have worn that Maple Leafs jersey. But now, being a family man, a father, we thought it was time to look somewhere else and find a new home and find a new place to grow our family,”
—Mitch Marner, via Mike Zeisberger
This transition offers Marner a fresh chapter, presenting the opportunity to establish himself as a central figure for Vegas and chase another Stanley Cup. The Golden Knights anticipate that Marner’s arrival will energize the roster and further cement the team’s reputation as a powerhouse in the league.
As the 2025 NHL season approaches, all eyes will be on Marner’s collaboration with Jack Eichel and the impact this duo can have in the pursuit of another championship for Vegas. The addition of Marner not only provides the Golden Knights with one of the most dynamic top lines in hockey but also symbolizes a significant turning point for both organizations involved.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did you know when you signed that you wouldn’t be allowed to wear 17? Mitch Marner, 16: I didn’t really pick it, to be honest with you. I just had it given. I had a couple options and 16 was the best one I liked.
A. Mitch Marner picked the number 16 because it was important to him as a kid. He wore 16 while growing up and playing youth hockey. This number reminded him of his memories and dreams from when he was younger. For these reasons, he decided to keep wearing 16 in the NHL.
Q. When did Mitch Marner get carjacked?
A. On the evening of May 16, Marner and one other person were about to enter his 2021 black Land Rover. This happened near The Queensway and Islington Avenue in Etobicoke. Suddenly, a Honda Civic arrived and stopped in front of them, blocking their way. According to police, two men with handguns got out of the Honda and demanded Marner’s car keys.
Q. Did Mitch Marner get carjacked?
A. Two men have been charged with several crimes after two armed carjackings last year, police said on Friday. One of the victims was Mitch Marner, a player for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Q. Who is better, Auston Matthews or Mitch Marner?
A. Auston Matthews, the Maple Leafs’ captain, says he sees Mitch Marner as a brother, a great teammate, and a close friend. He shares that everyone on the team cares about Marner. Matthews also says that Marner has the right to choose what to do as a free agent this off-season.