Maple Leafs Trade Mitch Marner to Golden Knights in $96M Deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded star winger Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade deal that includes an eight-year, $96 million contract for Marner. This trade ends Marner's nine-season tenure with Toronto and brings center Nicolas Roy to the Maple Leafs, adding size, depth, and a two-way skill set with a manageable $3 million cap hit over the next two years. Marner, who posted a career-high 102 points last season, moves to Vegas to join a team looking to strengthen its roster for a deep playoff run alongside players like Jack Eichel. The Maple Leafs gain significant salary cap flexibility, holding approximately $6.9 million after the trade, allowing them to recalibrate their roster and financial strategy. While the trade removes Marner from Toronto's lineup, it secures his future with Vegas and shifts dynamics in the Western Conference, making Vegas a stronger contender. Discussions around potential tampering claims surfaced but remain unproven, as the trade likely negates any such concerns by ensuring Marner's signing with Vegas.