Mitch Marner’s future is now locked in for the next eight years after a surprising sign-and-trade deal pulled off by the Toronto Maple Leafs—officially separating him from Auston Matthews and the franchise he spent nine seasons with.
A major move involving Marner had been expected for some time, and it finally happened. He was signed to a new eight-year contract that secures his financial future with an average annual salary of $12 million.
The biggest twist? Marner won’t be staying in Toronto. The deal was structured as a sign-and-trade, sending him to the Vegas Golden Knights, where he’ll spend the next phase of his career.
How Can Vegas Afford Marner?
The arrival of Mitch Marner in Vegas certainly requires an explanation, as the team supposedly lacked cap space. However, with Alex Pietrangelo on the injured list facing multiple surgeries, the Golden Knights’ cap space significantly increased from $5.6 million to $17.4 million. This was the analysis provided by Danny Webster regarding the finances to accommodate Marner’s reported $12 million salary.
The good news for the Golden Knights is that they’ll still have enough money to bring in at least two more players. Webster suggests that the remaining cap space could allow them to acquire a defenseman and a forward for the upcoming NHL season.
Strong years alongside Matthews
Marner spent nine years playing alongside Auston Matthews, with each appearing in over 600 games for the Maple Leafs—a partnership that produced more than 600 goals combined. While Matthews led the way with 401 goals, Marner’s 221 were a significant contribution, solidifying a strong production for the Leafs.