In a stunning move that has sent ripples through the NHL, the Vegas Golden Knights have secured star winger Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs via a sign-and-trade agreement on Monday, June 30, 2025. This blockbuster deal, confirmed by multiple sources including Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and TSN’s Bob McKenzie, marks a new chapter for Marner, who spent the entirety of his nine-year NHL career with the Maple Leafs.
The 28-year-old right wing, known for his exceptional two-way play and playmaking prowess, signed an eight-year, $96 million contract extension with Toronto before being immediately traded to Vegas. This contract carries a $12 million annual cap hit, making Marner’s salary tied for the fifth-highest in the NHL and the highest in Golden Knights history, surpassing the $80 million deal for center Jack Eichel, whom Vegas acquired in 2021.
Marner’s arrival in Vegas is a headline-grabbing addition to a team intent on reshaping its roster for championship contention. The Golden Knights sent center Nicolas Roy to Toronto as part of the trade. Roy, 28, had been a reliable fourth-line center and a Stanley Cup champion with Vegas in 2023, contributing 166 points over 362 games since joining the team in 2019. His two remaining years on a $3 million annual contract will shift to Toronto, providing the Golden Knights with significant salary cap relief.
Adding to their financial maneuvering, the Golden Knights announced that defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, 35, is stepping away from hockey due to a serious hip injury. Although he has not officially retired, Pietrangelo acknowledged the slim chances of returning to his previous performance level. With two years left on his contract carrying an $8.8 million cap hit, placing him on long-term injured reserve frees up substantial cap space. Combined with trading Roy, the Knights have gained approximately $11.8 million in spending power—nearly matching Marner’s new contract cost.
Marner, drafted fourth overall in 2015, is celebrated as one of the NHL’s premier two-way forwards. Throughout his career with Toronto, he amassed 741 points in 657 games, consistently earning Selke Trophy votes as one of the league’s best defensive forwards over the last seven seasons. Last season, he posted a career-high 102 points during the regular season and added 13 more points in 13 playoff games, despite scoring only one goal in that postseason stretch.
The Golden Knights’ acquisition of Marner complements their existing star power, particularly with Jack Eichel, who shares a similar profile as an elite two-way center and playmaker. Eichel becomes extension-eligible on July 2, 2025, and the team is expected to pursue a contract extension to keep the duo intact. The pairing of Marner and Eichel promises to be one of the NHL’s most formidable offensive and defensive tandems.
This trade is part of a larger roster overhaul by the Golden Knights in the lead-up to the free agency period. Just a day before acquiring Marner, Vegas traded defenseman Nic Hague to the Nashville Predators. Hague, a restricted free agent, signed a four-year, $22 million contract with Nashville. In return, the Knights received center Colton Sissons and defenseman Jeremy Lauzon, both entering the final year of their contracts, with the Predators retaining half of Sissons’ salary. Additionally, Vegas sent a 2027 third-round pick to Nashville, which could escalate to a second-round pick if the Knights reach the Western Conference Final this season.
With these moves, the Golden Knights have strategically balanced their roster and cap space. After placing Pietrangelo on long-term injured reserve and completing the trades, the team projects to have just under $2 million in cap space remaining, with a solid lineup of 12 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders under contract.
Vegas is also preparing for the futures of several restricted free agents, including center Cole Schwindt, left wing Jonas Rondbjerg, defenseman Lukas Cormier, and right wings Alexander Holtz and Raphael Lavoie, all of whom received qualifying offers on Monday. Meanwhile, unrestricted free agents like goaltender Ilya Samsonov and left wings Tanner Pearson and Victor Olofsson are expected to explore options on the open market starting July 1.
Marner’s move to Vegas was preceded by months of speculation. In May 2025, The Athletic reported that Toronto had attempted to sign Marner to a long-term deal that would have kept him in Toronto for life, but the winger declined. Discussions of a potential trade surfaced during the 2025 NHL Draft, but the deal only materialized just before free agency opened, with Marner officially signing his new contract on July 1, 2025.
Toronto fans had mixed feelings about Marner’s tenure, especially regarding his playoff performances. While he was a point-per-game player in the 2024-25 playoffs, his single goal in 13 games sparked criticism. The trade to Vegas offers Marner a fresh start and an opportunity to reinvigorate his career alongside Eichel and other marquee talents.
As the Golden Knights continue to build their roster, the addition of Marner signals their commitment to contending at the highest level. This strategic sign-and-trade not only avoids a bidding war in free agency but also sets the stage for an exciting new era in Vegas hockey.
With the NHL's free agency period underway and the Golden Knights actively reshaping their lineup, all eyes will be on how this dynamic duo of Eichel and Marner performs in the upcoming season. The hockey world is buzzing with anticipation as Vegas positions itself as a formidable contender in the league.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds and the Golden Knights’ roster continues to take shape heading into the 2025-26 NHL season.
