The Vegas Golden Knights have been linked to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner, who is reportedly set to be transferred this summer.
Many have speculated that Marner might be traded to Vegas in an effort to improve their offense after they lost important forwards Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault to free agency. Using a new tool called PuckGM, users of the website PuckPedia may make their own trades. One user’s deal saw Marner go to Vegas for defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, along with other parts.
Leaf Maples Acquire: Alex Pietrangelo
Karlsson, William
Golden Knights Acquire:
Mitch Marner
Liljegren, Timothy
On paper, the 2-for-2 exchange seems like a great deal. Pietrangelo would provide Toronto’s defensive a boost, while Karlsson, who scored 60 points the previous year, would provide some offensive punch. In addition, he has three years remaining on his contract, which pays him $5.9 million annually.
In the meanwhile, Vegas gains a game-changing offensive weapon in Marner, who can set up plays for Jack Eichel and Mark Stone. In addition, the Golden Knights would receive Liljegren, a previous first-round selection who can assist in filling Pietrangelo’s shoes. Although he signed a $6 million, two-year contract with Toronto this offseason, trade rumors have continued to mention him.
Pietrangelo, like Marner, has a full no-movement clause, so he would need to authorize the trade. However, he still has three years remaining on his contract, which earns him $8.8 million each season.
Internal Connections Give up on the Golden Knights
As Marner approaches his contract’s last year, trade rumors around him have surfaced. Many people believed Toronto would make a big move following yet another first-round playoff defeat.
Due to the Golden Knights’ excess of defensemen, which would pique Toronto’s interest, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman first connected Marner to the team on June 12.
“One of the things about Marner is that a lot of people think Vegas will be involved,” Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet stated on Leafs Morning Take. Vegas is around any excellent player because they are simply that clever. I’ve been receiving conjectures from folks about Shea Theodore and Logan Thompson, for instance.
Shea Theodore was the well-known name, however the one person who traded Pietrangelo—not Theodore—in the Marner deal was listed on PuckPedia. During the NHL draft, Thompson was dealt to the Washington Capitals.
Coach of the Maple Leafs is excited to work with Marner
Despite trade speculations surrounding Marner, head coach Craig Berube of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who was recently hired, expressed his excitement about coaching the talented winger.
“He’s a great guy with character,” Berube remarked on June 29, following the 2024 NHL draft. It will be exciting to coach him.
After the draft, though, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving did not provide an update on any possible Marner deal.
“No updates on Mitch,” stated Treliving. I’ve already stated that I won’t be doing play-by-play. Mitch is a fantastic athlete. We are fortunate to have him.
In 69 games played last season, Marner scored 26 goals and provided 59 assists for 85 points. It’s no secret that the former fourth-overall pick wants to stay in Toronto for the foreseeable future.
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