The Vegas Golden Knights made one of the earliest and most impactful moves of the NHL offseason, acquiring star winger Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs before the free agency period even opened. Now, general manager Kelly McCrimmon is offering a candid explanation for the urgency behind the deal—and why waiting until July 1 was never an option.
Speaking to reporters following the announcement of the trade, McCrimmon made it clear that Vegas’s goal was to avoid a bidding war for Marner‘s services. The deal was finalized Tuesday but agreed to in principle during the NHL Draft, several days prior.
“We made a trade with Toronto where we traded Nic Roy and for them to sign and trade Marner to Vegas, if we could come to an agreement with his representative,” McCrimmon said. “We were able to do that over the course of a few days.”
By moving early, the Golden Knights not only avoided the chaos of free agency but also positioned themselves to secure exclusive negotiation rights, a critical advantage in an increasingly competitive salary cap landscape.
Why the sign-and-trade made sense for Vegas
One of McCrimmon’s primary motives was to ensure an eighth contract year, which only the Leafs could offer under league rules. This allowed Vegas to bring down Marner’s cap hit significantly by spreading the $96 million deal over eight years instead of seven.
“We wanted to do a sign-and-trade with Toronto so we could get the eighth year on the contract,” McCrimmon explained. “For us, the eighth year really helped us in terms of what the AAV might be.”
The final cap hit landed at $12 million per season, compared to the $13.7 million it would have cost if Marner signed the same total value over seven years as a free agent. For a team constantly managing cap flexibility, that difference was too strategic to ignore.
Additionally, McCrimmon admitted the franchise didn’t want to risk being outbid by teams with far more salary room. “We didn’t want to be in a position where it’s July 1, we’re making a presentation, three or four other teams are making a presentation, and you never know who can come out of nowhere to win the day,” he said. “There are some teams that have $20 million of cap space.”
A deal months in the making
Vegas had initially targeted Marner at the trade deadline in March, but the winger exercised his no-trade clause and declined the move due to personal reasons—his wife’s pregnancy being the key factor. Once the offseason window opened, the path cleared, and both parties moved swiftly to complete the transaction.
The Maple Leafs received center Nicolas Roy in the deal, while Vegas landed a top-line winger with proven playmaking ability—just as they look to return to Stanley Cup contention. “It’s a great fit for both sides,” McCrimmon noted, while Marner echoed those sentiments during his introductory press conference.
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With this acquisition, Vegas adds one of the most dynamic forwards in the league to its core, while simultaneously showcasing the aggressive and calculated roster-building strategy that has defined the franchise since its inception.