The Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights are treading on thin ice as the Mitch Marner saga drags well into the final hours of the 2024–25 NHL season. With buzz growing around the situation, reports state the Leafs might be luring the Knights right into the league’s crosshairs.
Working out a sign-and-trade move is trending to be in Vegas and Toronto‘s best interests as the NHL pays close attention to both sides. However, that might not be what Marner and his camp are looking for.
Now, as the noise around the possibility of tampering grows louder, the Golden Knights might be walking right into the Maple Leafs’ trap. Toronto has made it clear it has no intention of watching Marner walk away without getting anything in return. Although GM Brad Treliving voiced a firm admission on Marner’s future, things may have changed since.
Falling for the bait
The Golden Knights have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Marner in free agency if the 28-year-old becomes available, but the Maple Leafs might have an ace under their sleeves. And reports indicate the NHL could be looking to set an assertive precedent in terms of tampering.
“A couple of GMs think the NHL is itching to make an example out of someone,” insider Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts Podcast on Sunday.
Against the ropes
The Maple Leafs have seemingly gained the upper hand in a situation where most had counted them out. With Marner all but decided to skip town, it looked like Toronto was down and out. Ironically, it was Vegas who showed its hand—possibly giving away any leverage in the Marner situation. The house always wins, even when the visitor comes from Sin City.
“There’s been some talk that if Marner goes to Vegas, the Leafs will go after Vegas for tampering,” Friedman said. “But if [Vegas] makes a deal with Toronto, and sends a good player or two to Toronto, I’m betting any chance the Leafs file for tampering goes away.”
Potential penalties for tampering
The NHL can penalize both the team and the individuals involved in tampering. In this specific scenario, the Golden Knights might face one or more of the following: a fine of up to $5 million, termination of the contracts signed, forfeiture of draft picks, and the awarding of draft picks to the ‘offended’ club—namely, the Maple Leafs.
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As for individuals, they could be fined up to $1M. And more severely, they could receive suspensions or even expulsions from the NHL. It’s definitely a serious topic, and one the Maple Leafs have now brought to the table.