The move of Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights became one of the most captivating offseason stories, following days of speculation and after a long stint with the franchise that features Auston Matthews as its star.
Leaving Canada marked a bold decision for Marner, who had spent his entire career proving himself as a dangerous forward with the Leafs. However, it was time for a change of scenery. Following his sign-and-trade, the 28-year-old forward shared one of the reasons behind this shift in his career.
The city and the new organization represent significant motivators for Marner in his pursuit of a fresh chapter in Vegas. His adjustment period of learning new values and embracing a different culture gives him a renewed perspective.
The reason behind Marner’s move
“It’s going to be a new life. I’m really excited for it. Having the newborn now, my wife and I are very social, we like going out for dinners, we like being out with our friends, we like being around our teammates. It was tough to do that in Toronto,” Marner said at Hockey Canada’s 2025 National Teams Orientation Camp.
It’s clear that leaving behind a long-time home like Ontario carries weight. A major part of Marner’s trade decision was influenced by his wife and newborn son.
Other reasons for Marner
The “unacceptable” threats and negative comments Marner endured also impacted his decision, adding to his desire to relocate. “When your family’s safety comes into question, especially when you have a newborn, I don’t consider that acceptable,” Marner told Mark Masters of TSN.