In a seismic move that reshapes the NHL landscape, the Vegas Golden Knights have officially acquired superstar forward Mitch marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The blockbuster trade, announced by Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon on July 1, 2025, sends forward Nicolas Roy to Toronto. This transaction immediately positions Vegas as a formidable force and signals a new era for both franchises.
Central to the deal is Marner’s commitment to the Golden Knights. As part of the acquisition, the dynamic forward has signed a massive eight-year contract extension. This deal runs through the 2032-33 NHL season. It carries an average annual value (AAV) of $12 million, totaling $96 million over the life of the contract. Marner is set to don jersey number 93 for his new club in Sin City.
Mitch Marner: A Star Departs Toronto
Mitch Marner, 28 at the time of the trade, spent his entire nine-year NHL career with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. His time in Toronto was marked by exceptional offensive production. He leaves the franchise ranking fifth all-time in points with 741. These points came from 221 goals and a remarkable 520 assists over 657 regular-season games. Marner also posted an impressive plus/minus rating of +128 during his Leafs tenure.
Since making his NHL debut in the 2016-17 season, Marner accumulated the most points of any Maple Leafs player. He also ranked eighth among all NHL players during that span. The 2024-25 campaign was particularly outstanding for the right-winger. He recorded a career-high 102 points in 81 games, leading the Maple Leafs in scoring. This total ranked fifth among all skaters across the entire league. His 75 assists that season were also a personal best and finished as the third-highest total in the NHL.
Marner’s consistent excellence earned him recognition throughout his career. He is a three-time NHL All-Star, selected in 2020, 2023, and 2024. In 2023, his strong two-way play was recognized as he was named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy. Over the last seven seasons, his +129 rating ranks as the third-best among all NHL forwards.
Playoff Contributions and International Success
Beyond the regular season, Marner was a constant presence in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for Toronto. He helped the Maple Leafs reach the postseason in all nine of his seasons with the team. Since his rookie year, he led the Leafs in playoff scoring with 63 points (13 goals, 50 assists) in 70 contests. He also consistently shouldered a heavy workload, leading all Toronto forwards in time on ice during each of the last seven playoffs. In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Marner contributed 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) in 13 games before Toronto fell to the Florida Panthers in the second round.
Marner has also proudly represented Canada on the international stage. Most recently, he played a key role in Canada’s victory at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. He posted three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in four games. This included scoring the dramatic overtime winner against Sweden and providing the primary assist on the tournament-clinching overtime goal against the United States. He also earned a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, collecting 12 points in 10 games.
Before the Pros: Junior Dominance
Prior to turning professional, Marner was a phenom in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He spent three seasons with the London Knights from 2013 to 2016. His final OHL season in 2015-16 was nothing short of dominant. Marner led the Knights to a Memorial Cup championship, tallying an incredible 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in 18 OHL playoff games. He followed that with 14 points (2 goals, 12 assists) in just four Memorial Cup games. His spectacular performance earned him both the Memorial Cup Most Valuable Player award and the CHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year honor. The Toronto Maple Leafs originally drafted him fourth overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Marner’s bio details include:
Birthplace: Markham, ON
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180 lbs
Age: 28
Shoots: Right
New VGK Number: 93
What Mitch Marner Brings to Vegas
The addition of Mitch Marner instantly elevates the Vegas Golden Knights’ offensive firepower. Known for his elite vision, passing ability, and versatility, Marner excels in all facets of the game. He is consistently deployed in high-leverage situations, including the top line, the primary power-play unit, and the penalty kill. Team Canada coach Jon Cooper has praised Marner’s rare ability to thrive across five-on-five play, power play, penalty kill, and even three-on-three situations, noting that “Mitch can do it all. He just keeps getting better.” This versatility is reflected in his ice time; Marner has consistently ranked among the top 10 NHL forwards in average ice time per game over the past six seasons.
The Golden Knights have a clear identity as an aggressive team consistently pursuing top-tier talent to fuel their Stanley Cup aspirations. Having won the Cup in 2022-23, adding a player of Marner’s caliber signals their unwavering commitment to staying at the pinnacle of the league. Marner’s offensive creativity and ability to drive play are expected to significantly boost Vegas’s already potent attack. His arrival creates exciting possibilities for line combinations and enhances the team’s special teams units.
Nicolas Roy Heads to Toronto
Heading back to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the exchange is forward Nicolas Roy. Roy, a 28-year-old center, has established himself as a valuable bottom-six player known for his size, responsible defensive play, and aggressive forechecking. Last season with the Golden Knights, Roy recorded 15 goals and 31 points. He is currently under contract for two more years with a manageable $3 million salary cap hit through the 2026-27 season. While not a direct replacement for Marner’s offensive production, Roy provides Toronto with a solid, reliable player who can contribute depth and physicality.
The Mechanics of a Sign-and-Trade
The structuring of this deal as a sign-and-trade is particularly noteworthy. With Marner poised to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1, this mechanism allowed the Golden Knights to secure his services before he hit the open market. Crucially, under league rules, a team acquiring the rights to a pending UFA in a trade is permitted to offer an eight-year contract extension. Had Marner reached UFA status and signed with any other team, the maximum contract length allowed would have been seven years. This ability to offer the extra year provided a significant incentive for Marner to agree to the trade and long-term extension with Vegas.
Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving had publicly acknowledged that Marner was likely headed for unrestricted free agency, making a departure seem probable. The sign-and-trade with Vegas allows Toronto to receive an asset in return, rather than losing a player of Marner’s value for nothing. This type of pre-UFA trade has become an increasing trend in the NHL, seen in deals like the Maple Leafs acquiring Chris Tanev’s rights or the Lightning acquiring Jake Guentzel’s rights in recent years. While Marner’s tenure in Toronto, particularly the playoff struggles despite strong individual stats, had drawn scrutiny, his departure closes a significant chapter for the club.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key details of the Mitch Marner trade to the Vegas Golden Knights?
On July 1, 2025, the Vegas Golden Knights acquired star forward Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In exchange, Toronto received forward Nicolas Roy. As part of the trade, Marner signed an eight-year contract extension with Vegas through the 2032-33 season, carrying an average annual value of $12 million. This deal secures one of the NHL’s top offensive players for the Golden Knights.
How does Mitch Marner’s skillset fit with the Vegas Golden Knights?
Mitch Marner brings exceptional versatility and offensive creativity to Vegas. He is known for his elite playmaking, high hockey IQ, and ability to excel in all game situations, including five-on-five, power play, and penalty kill. With high ice time usage throughout his career, Marner is expected to play a top-line role and significantly boost the Golden Knights’ scoring and special teams effectiveness, aligning with their aggressive, Cup-contending strategy.
Why did the Vegas Golden Knights and Mitch Marner opt for a sign-and-trade?
The sign-and-trade structure was utilized to prevent Mitch Marner from becoming an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and allow him to sign for the maximum possible term. By acquiring his rights via trade before July 1, the Golden Knights could offer an eight-year contract extension, which is longer than the seven-year maximum available to teams signing a player directly from UFA status. This secured Marner for Vegas and allowed Toronto to receive an asset (Nicolas Roy) in return.
A New Chapter Begins
The acquisition of Mitch Marner marks a pivotal moment for the Vegas Golden Knights. It reinforces their status as a perennial Stanley Cup contender with a clear intent to win now. For Marner, it represents a new chapter away from the pressures and expectations of his hometown team in Toronto. While the Maple Leafs lose a generational talent, they gain a solid NHL player in Nicolas Roy and signal a shift in their roster construction. As Marner pulls on the Golden Knights jersey number 93, all eyes will be on how this dynamic playmaker integrates into the Vegas lineup and impacts the race for the Stanley Cup.
