After weeks of speculation, Mitch Marner officially confirmed what many around the NHL had suspected: Vegas was always at the top of his list. The 27-year-old forward spoke candidly during his introductory press conference on Tuesday, just hours after the Golden Knights acquired him via a sign-and-trade with Auston Matthews‘ Toronto Maple Leafs.
The blockbuster deal included a new eight-year, $96 million contract and ended Marner’s nine-year run in Toronto, where he tallied 741 points in 657 regular-season games. Now, the playmaker begins a new chapter in a city — and organization — that checked every box for him and his family.
At his introductory press conference, Marner explained: “We thought about going to free agency, but this is the place we want to be. We didn’t want to lose that opportunity, and we wanted to join this hockey team.”
Why did Marner pick Vegas?
The decision, Marner said, stemmed from two decisive factors: lifestyle and championship aspirations. After discussing options with his wife Stephanie and agent Darren Ferris, Vegas emerged as the clear choice — especially once the Golden Knights reignited their pursuit following the NHL Draft.
“This was a spot that was very high on my list,” he explained. “I went back to my agent and said, ‘I’m open to doing this if we can find a way to do it.’”
The first element that influenced the move was quality of life off the ice. While Las Vegas is often associated with the Strip, Marner emphasized the broader appeal of the city. “My wife and I like to go out and enjoy ourselves … and we can still do that down at the Strip, or in the Summerlin area,” he said. “There’s so much more to it.”
A Stanley Cup contender
Equally important to the decision was the Golden Knights’ competitive identity. Having hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2023, Vegas has established itself as a franchise with a win-now mentality — something Marner deeply values.
“You want to be in a place where you want to win,” he said. “That’s the whole goal of why we do this. You want to hoist that Stanley Cup, and this team has shown that they can do that.”
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The addition of Marner immediately strengthens Vegas’s top-six forward group and reaffirms the franchise’s ambition to return to championship glory. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs will begin the post-Core Four era without one of their most dynamic talents.