The buzz around a potential Mitch Marner trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights has only intensified. Auston Matthews and the rest of the team are hoping to get something in return for their star teammate’s departure. Now, reports state the Leafs might have found the right price before the start of the NHL’s free agency.
Toronto and Vegas have seen its names intertwined for quite some time now. The two organizations are looking to boost their lineups ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season, and a blockbuster trade might be the perfect solution.
Marner has made it crystal clear he won’t play with Matthews and the Maple Leafs next season. That’s a non-negotiable, however, the 28-year-old has left the door open on his way out of the organization. Though reports indicate Marner is eyeing a short-term contract with his next team, he might be willing to embark on a sign-and-trade move between Vegas and Toronto. It won’t be an easy sell for the Leafs, but it’s worth giving a try with less than 48 hours left before free agency.
Vegas is also interested in trading for Marner for various reasons. On the one hand, the Golden Knights would avoid any legal trouble with the Leafs and the NHL. Moreover, by trading for the winger, the Knights would make sure no other team extends an offer to Marner. And lastly, Vegas can also clear some cap space my moving on from certain players in a package.
Mitch Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs poses for his portrait prior to the 2024 Honda NHL All-Star Game on February 03, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario.
Potential return for Marner
On that note, the Maple Leafs have reportedly laid the groundwork for a blockbuster return in a Marner trade, with only hours to spare before the start of the NHL’s new calendar year in July.
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NHL News: Amid Mitch Marner drama, Maple Leafs reportedly luring Golden Knights right into the league’s crosshairs
“If Toronto is going to lose Marner, it’s better to have Nicolas Roy and potentially Nicolas Hague than potentially nothing. So, there’s a way this could all work,” insider Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts Podcast.
Choose your poison
Amid frantic hours in the NHL, the Maple Leafs have seemingly handed the Golden Knights a silver platter with two choices: pursue a trade for Marner or wait to sign him in free agency—at the risk of being sued for tampering by Toronto. The Maple Leafs are putting the Golden Knights against the ropes, with the league paying close attention.
“A couple of GMs think the NHL is itching to make an example out of someone,” Friedman said. “There’s been some talk that if Marner goes to Vegas, the Leafs will go after Vegas for tampering. 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.”
Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs speaks during the Media Day as part of the 2022 NHL All-Star Weekend on February 04, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Potential fines and suspensions
Teams found guilty of tampering can face hefty sanctions, including fines of up to $5 million, contract terminations, forfeiture of draft picks, and the awarding of picks to the ‘offended’ club. Individuals are not exempt, either. They can be fined up to $1M. And more severely, they could be suspended or even expulsed from the NHL.
