Marner traded to Golden Knights by Maple Leafs, signs 8-year, $96 million contract

Mitch Marner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old forward, who could have become an unrestricted free agent, signed an eight-year, $96 million contract. It has an average annual value of $12 million.

In return for Marner, the Maple Leafs received forward Nicolas Roy.

Marner had a career-high 102 points (27 goals, 75 assists) in 81 regular-season games for Toronto last season and 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Marner, who hails from Markham, Ontario, which is about 20 miles northeast of Toronto, was selected No. 4 by the Maple Leafs at the 2015 NHL Draft. He has 741 points (221 goals, 520 assists) in 657 regular-season games and 63 points (13 goals, 50 assists) in 70 postseason games.

But with the six-year, $65.358 million deal ($10.9 million AAV) he signed with the Maple Leafs on Sept. 19, 2019, expiring after last season, the idea of him moving on became stronger.

On June 26, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving said he anticipated Marner would hit the open market. Marner will wear No. 93 for Vegas.

“We’ve had communication,” Treliving said. “I’d probably describe it [that] unless there is significant change here, I would anticipate he’s going to hit the market.

“And we’ll see. We’ll see where things go.”

The trade ends Marner’s time with Maple Leafs and their captain Auston Matthews, who was selected No. 1 by Toronto at the 2016 NHL Draft.

“Leaving isn’t easy,” Marner posted on Instagram. “This city is where I grew up, where I fell in love with hockey, and where I’ve had the incredible honour of living out my childhood dream. Wearing the Maple Leaf on my chest wasn’t just about playing for a team, it was about representing my home.

“When I was drafted, all I wanted was to help bring a Stanely Cup to Toronto. That was always the goal, and I came up short. I know how much this team means to this city, and I know the expectations that come with wearing this jersey. I gave everything I had, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. That’s hard to admit, because I wanted it so badly, for all of us.”

Though Marner and the Maple Leafs had incredible regular-season success — reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs nine straight seasons — they could not get past the second round. In fact, of the nine playoff appearances, they won just two series.

“As I prepare for what comes next, I leave a different person than I was at 18. I’ll always be grateful for my time here and most of all, I’m so proud to have been a Toronto Maple Leaf.”

In going to Vegas, Marner joins a franchise that has made the postseason in seven of its eight seasons since joining the NHL. The Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2022-23 but have won just one series since.

Roy, a 28-year-old forward, had 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) in 71 regular-season games for Vegas last season and four points (two goals, two assists) in 11 playoff games.

A fourth-round pick (No. 96) by the Carolina Hurricanes at the 2015 NHL Draft, Roy has 166 points (68 goals, 98 assists) in 369 regular-season games with the Hurricanes and Golden Knights. He has 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 79 playoff games, including 11 (three goals, eight assists) in 22 games when Vegas won the Cup in 2022-23.