The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially traded Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, marking the end of a nine-year chapter for the hometown star in Toronto. The move, finalized on Monday, June 30, 2025, sees Marner signing an eight-year, $96 million contract with an average annual value of $12 million as part of a sign-and-trade agreement. In return, the Leafs receive center Nicolas Roy from Vegas.
Marner's departure signifies a significant shift for the Maple Leafs, a team he has been a cornerstone of since being drafted fourth overall in 2015. Over his tenure, Marner amassed 221 goals and 520 assists for a total of 741 points in 657 regular-season games, placing him fifth on the Leafs' all-time scoring list. He also contributed 63 points in 70 playoff games. Despite his regular-season success, Marner's playoff performances often drew criticism, with the team only advancing past the first round twice in eight seasons with Marner, Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander, and Morgan Rielly as the core.
The trade comes as Marner was set to become an unrestricted free agent. By orchestrating a sign-and-trade, the Maple Leafs ensured they would receive an asset rather than losing Marner for nothing. General Manager Brad Treliving had previously indicated that he anticipated Marner would test the open market. The acquisition of Roy provides the Leafs with a versatile center who can contribute in the top nine. Roy, 28, had 15 goals and 16 assists in 71 games last season for the Golden Knights. He has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $3 million.
For Marner, the move to Vegas represents a fresh start with a team known for its competitive drive and recent Stanley Cup victory in 2023. The Golden Knights have long expressed interest in acquiring Marner, with discussions dating back to last summer. The team's general manager, Kelly McCrimmon, is known for his proactive approach. Marner's arrival is expected to bolster the Golden Knights' offensive capabilities and provide additional support to star players like Jack Eichel.
The signing also gives Marner a raise of over $1 million and the benefit of Nevada's lack of personal income taxes. His $12 million AAV puts him in the company of the league's highest-paid wingers, alongside Mikko Rantanen. With this new contract, Marner's career earnings are projected to exceed $160 million.
While the Golden Knights gain a star player in Marner, the Maple Leafs are now tasked with reallocating his cap space and reshaping their roster. Treliving has already signed Matthew Knies and John Tavares to extensions and acquired Matias Maccelli in a trade. The team will also need to address its own free agents and explore other opportunities to strengthen the roster. The departure of Marner marks a significant change in direction for the Maple Leafs, as they seek to build a team capable of achieving sustained playoff success.
