Stepping into the Vegas Golden Knights practice facility immediately immerse you in the team`s culture, surrounded by logos, mascot illustrations, and even a faux brick-wall backdrop mirroring their celebrated `Fortress` theme. However, it`s the team store that truly highlights the club`s current focus and future aspirations. Among the array of VGK-branded apparel, only one player`s jersey is prominently displayed: Mitch Marner`s.
This isn`t surprising, as Marner has quickly become the talk of the town. “Have you heard about their new acquisition?” a taxi driver inquired, noticing the Golden Knights` arena as the destination. “Mitch Marner. They say he`s quite good.”
Marner`s reputation clearly preceded his arrival in the desert. Even before he had played in a single preseason game for Vegas, anticipation was high to see him in action or even catch a glimpse of him at the rink.
Fans, many sporting Marner jerseys, gathered to watch one of Vegas` morning skates, eager to see him on the ice with his new linemates, Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev. Afterward, they patiently waited for him outside, some holding hand-painted signs in hopes of an autograph, expressing their excitement for Vegas` anticipated new star.
This level of enthusiasm is fitting for Marner`s high-profile departure from his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs to join the Golden Knights. The move was a sign-and-trade deal, culminating in a massive eight-year, $96 million contract signed on June 30. Marner, who was a pending unrestricted free agent, seemed increasingly unlikely to re-sign in Toronto as the 2024-25 season progressed. He later disclosed that harassment towards his family from local fans was a significant factor. Consequently, the Leafs found a trade partner in Vegas, receiving depth forward Nicolas Roy in exchange for their 102-point contributor.
While undoubtedly a blow for Toronto, Marner appears to have no regrets as he embarks on this new chapter. “Can`t complain; I`m liking life,” Marner shared with ESPN in September. “It`s been good. The pleasant weather and lack of traffic have been a welcome change [from Toronto]. My family and I have received immense support since we arrived, which has been fantastic. A lot of excited fans. I`m eager to get out there, perform my best, and continue contributing to the team`s success as I have in previous years.”
Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon made a significant investment, betting on Marner to deliver. He had been tracking the 28-year-old since the NHL`s trade deadline in March, describing him as an “elite playmaker and tremendous passer” expected to bolster Vegas` top offensive line.
However, such talent comes with a hefty price tag. It wasn`t until defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was placed on long-term injured reserve due to a potentially career-ending leg injury that Vegas acquired sufficient cap space to make Marner one of the league`s highest-paid players.
Marner`s regular-season statistics certainly justify this financial commitment. Since his debut in 2016-17, he has amassed 520 assists (fifth-most among all NHL players) and 741 points (eighth-most). Yet, translating this success into the postseason has been a different story, particularly in Toronto. This is one of several narratives Marner will need to overcome to meet the high expectations in Vegas.
“He was our primary target; the player we truly wanted,” McCrimmon affirmed. “I believe [his addition] will significantly enhance our team.”
A Rare Move for a Star Player
It`s quite uncommon in today`s NHL for a marquee player like Marner to actually change teams.
Toronto drafted him fourth overall in 2015, fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a Maple Leaf. He spent nine seasons as part of the organization`s infamous `Core Four` – a designation for Marner, Auston Matthews, William Nylander (all Leafs draftees), and John Tavares, who joined as a free agent in 2018. Tavares, before Marner, made what was arguably the league`s most scrutinized free-agent decision in recent memory, leaving the New York Islanders as their captain to sign with his hometown Leafs.
Over time, Toronto allocated over half of its salary cap to these four skaters, but the desired returns in terms of playoff success never materialized. Pressure intensified around the group each year as Toronto struggled in the postseason, now tallying seven first-round or qualifying-round playoff exits in their nine consecutive playoff appearances.
Marner and Matthews, in particular, bore the brunt of criticism for the Leafs` failures when it mattered most. Their impact was deemed insufficient, they often didn`t match their opponents` top performers, and were frequently described as “invisible” or “disappointing.”
Following a particularly devastating end to another playoff run last spring – where the Leafs squandered a 2-0 second-round series lead against the Florida Panthers, ultimately losing in seven games – Marner was primed for a fresh start, despite aggressive efforts from the Leafs to retain him.
The allure of Las Vegas proved compelling. “Once I learned they were interested, we reciprocated that interest immediately,” Marner stated. “This team possesses significant skill. They have many players who truly understand what it takes to win and are committed to it. Everything I heard about being here was incredible.”
However, transitioning to a new lineup after nearly a decade with the same teammates isn`t simple, especially with established standards to uphold. The Golden Knights are coming off another strong season, finishing third overall in the league standings (one spot ahead of the Leafs) and boasting the fifth-best offense, averaging 3.34 goals per game.
Marner`s challenge will be to find ways to make Vegas even more formidable offensively. Coach Bruce Cassidy immediately paired Marner with Eichel in training camp, and they, along with Barbashev, have diligently worked to build chemistry. Eichel approached the partnership with an open mind, already familiar with Marner from their shared draft class – Eichel was selected second overall by Buffalo that year. He has been consistently impressed by Marner in their battles on the ice over the years.
“I`ve always had immense respect for his game,” Eichel remarked. “So, nothing about his arrival here has surprised me. I knew the kind of player he is. He`s capable of making numerous plays, possesses a truly creative hockey mind, and moves exceptionally well. There`s a lot to admire about his game. But he`s also a fantastic person. He`s very easy to get along with and keeps things light. He`s been an excellent addition to our locker room.”
Marner hopes to emulate Eichel`s leadership in that regard. The Golden Knights` distinctive character – loud, familial, and fueled by well-placed banter – strongly appeals to Marner, who aims to join in. “Jack`s quite good at chirping,” Marner said with a laugh. “I`ll be joining the group soon enough with more of that. I enjoy hearing it too. There are a lot of loud personalities in here, which is great. I like that, and I appreciate the high energy and the back-and-forth. To be truly part of a team, you want guys teasing each other. It`s been a lot of fun here.”
That`s not to say Marner and Eichel haven`t been diligently working. Marner has benefited from playing with Auston Matthews – one of the NHL`s elite centers – for his entire career until now. Eichel is a top-tier pivot in his own right, but establishing a rhythm with Marner has required its own adjustments and patience.
“You`ll perceive things differently at times, so it`s about maintaining open communication,” Eichel explained regarding building chemistry. “It`s about listening, reading off each other, and striving to connect more closely off the ice too. I always believe that helps.”
Marner acknowledged that finding the right timing with a new center presents “a bit of a challenge.” The two did connect during a preseason game, with Marner assisting on Eichel`s goal against Utah last Thursday. Marner had admired Eichel`s demeanor even before that exhibition. Cassidy`s decision to pair them on a line was likely inevitable, but Marner independently recognized that their skill sets would naturally complement each other.
“He has that aura, that swagger about him,” Marner said. “He possesses a calmness on the ice. It appears as though he isn`t moving very fast, but his speed is extraordinary. He accelerates rapidly. For me, it`s about utilizing that as much as possible, trying to find him in areas where a direct pass might not be feasible, perhaps laying a puck into space and trusting his speed to get there. I`ll identify spots where he can make plays because his vision and playmaking ability are truly high-end.”
Marner`s Impact on Power Play and Personal Reflections
There`s a noticeable lightness and excitement in Marner`s voice as he discusses his role with the Golden Knights, whether it`s playing 5-on-5 with Eichel or quarterbacking Vegas` top power-play unit. This top power-play spot is typically occupied by a defenseman, but Leafs coach Craig Berube eventually positioned Marner at the point in Toronto last season, where he excelled.
Vegas wasn`t necessarily looking to improve its power play – which ranked second in 2024-25 at 28.3% – but given Marner`s proven experience, Cassidy assigned him that role again as the team began special teams work in camp.
Cassidy relied on his instincts and recent past experience when determining Marner`s placement. He managed Team Canada`s power play at the Nations Face-off in February, conducting extensive research on his players, including Marner, to assemble optimal units. He had also frequently observed the Leafs` power play – both in the regular season and twice during playoffs – while coaching the Boston Bruins from 2017 to 2022, providing him with a unique perspective on Marner`s development in that role.
“Midway through the year [in 2024-25], they utilized him at the top, employing a five-forward setup,” Cassidy recalled. “When I was in Boston, he played on one of the flanks. He was often on his forehand when Mike Babcock coached him [in Toronto]. Matthews was a forehand player. They always had Tavares in the bumper. I probably know far too much about Toronto`s power play [by now]… [but] we had a very effective power play last year. We`re mindful of that, so we want to build upon it without dismantling it. However, we clearly have a new, very talented piece.”
Cassidy aims for the “best fit” for Marner. If the player has a say, that will involve him remaining Vegas` primary orchestrator on the man advantage moving forward. “I find I can navigate the blue line effectively and create plays,” Marner explained. “I`m not primarily aiming to overshoot to score. I`m trying to shoot for deflections and set up plays. Obviously, I don`t possess the craziest, hardest shot of all time. But if an opportunity arises where I can skate in, pick a spot, and try to score, I`m going to attempt that and be deceptive.”
Deception might be a hallmark of Marner`s playmaking on the ice, but he tried to be direct about his reasons for leaving Toronto. In an interview with TSN at Hockey Canada`s Olympic orientation camp in August, Marner candidly spoke about the harassment he and his family – including his wife, Stephanie, and newborn son, Miles – endured during the final years of his tenure with the Leafs. He recounted how fans posted his home address online following the Leafs` 6-1 loss in Game 7 of their second-round series against Florida last May. His agent, Darren Ferris, further revealed on the `100% Hockey Podcast` that they had to employ former NHL security personnel to manage situations like “people throwing stuff in [Marner`s] yard.”
Leafs general manager Brad Treliving responded to Marner`s comments by assuring that the organization is fully committed to protecting its players. “In our business, our top priority is looking after our players, and I believe we do a very good job of it,” Treliving stated. “I have no concerns that we don`t do everything humanly possible to ensure they are looked after.”
Marner clarified that being targeted by fans wasn`t the sole reason for his desire to leave Toronto, but it certainly made contemplating staying “tough.” “When your family`s safety becomes a concern, especially with a new son, I don`t believe it`s acceptable,” he told TSN.
Settling into Vegas and Stanley Cup Aspirations
The Marners have since received a warm welcome in their new community and quickly found themselves fitting in. Many of the Golden Knights players reside in similar neighborhoods near the practice facility, fostering easy camaraderie. “We are settled in now,” Marner confirmed. “Getting to know the group really well. The family is also clearly settling in, which is extremely important. We`re getting there. We`ve unpacked the entire house. We`re feeling at home now. The wives have been incredibly open, accepting, and kind to [Stephanie], inviting her out and getting to know them.”
“In our area, there are about six or eight of us [teammates] living close by, which has been lovely. She`s been taking nice walks with them, and all the kids and dogs. So, it`s been good for her. We`re truly enjoying it.”
Another compelling factor for Marner was the opportunity to join the Golden Knights` often relentless pursuit of a championship. Vegas reached the Cup Final in its inaugural 2016 season and lifted the trophy in 2023. The Golden Knights have qualified for the playoffs in seven of their first eight seasons as a franchise, advancing to the second round or beyond in five of those appearances.
That reputation as a perennial contender with a willingness to do whatever it takes was difficult to overlook. “Definitely, I think you observe every year that they`re not afraid to go for it and make significant moves,” Marner commented. “So that`s something that excites you as well, and it`s what you aspire to be a part of. There are many players in this locker room who won [the Cup] a couple of years ago, and that also energizes you.”
It`s fortunate that Marner feels this way, because Eichel is forthright about the Golden Knights` aspirations now that he has one of the league`s premier wingers on his line. “Our expectation,” Eichel declared, “is to win the Stanley Cup.”
That journey will commence in earnest when the new NHL season begins for the Golden Knights on October 8, at home against the Los Angeles Kings. It will be Marner`s first true experience playing for a team other than Toronto, with months to go before a meeting against his former teammates on January 23.
This provides ample time for Marner to mentally prepare for a return – and whatever reception he receives from a passionate fanbase that missed out on seeing him help Toronto end its league-high 57-year Cup drought.
The Olympics also factor into his future. Marner relished his time helping Team Canada secure gold at the 4 Nations tournament, and he remains a strong candidate for the country`s roster for the 2026 Games in Milan.
That possibility isn`t Marner`s immediate focus. He is simply ready to embrace the current moment in Vegas: a new opportunity, a clean slate, and the chance to create new memories. “It`ll be incredibly exciting, I know I`ve got a lot of family coming into town for that one,” Marner said of Vegas` opener. “I know Miles will be on the glass, which will be a lot of fun to see him for the first time, just his facial expressions and things like that will be really cool.”
“I`m just thrilled to see the building rocking. It`s always a loud arena, always pretty boisterous and lively, and I`m excited to feel the love from this side of it.”
