Toronto Maple Leafs trade Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights

The Mitch Marner saga in Toronto is over. The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded his rights to the Vegas Golden Knights for Nicholas Roy. Marner signed an eight-year extension with Toronto before the move, meaning he’ll be a Knight for a very long time. His annual AAV is now $12M.

It’s a surprising move, as the Marner camp has expressed no desire to help Toronto. But obviously things have changed, and he’s chosen Vegas as his next home.

It’s the end of an era for the Leafs, and the core four is officially dead. After another disastrous playoff loss, it makes sense.

The return?

Although nothing is confirmed, it’s fair to assume Nicholas Roy will be the main part of the move.

In Roy, the Leafs are getting a super solid middle-six centre, who’s put up around 15 goals and 40 points for four consecutive seasons. He’s just 28 years old, and will add much-needed depth to Toronto’s forward corps.

He’s signed for just $3M for the next two seasons.

With Auston Matthews, Roy, and newly re-signed John Tavares, Toronto has an actual trio down the middle for the first time in years. Roy is also right-handed, something the Leafs have sorely lacked.

At 6’4”, he fits Brad Treliving’s style and will help Toronto in the playoffs. He’s a great get for a sign-and-trade, and the Leafs should be happy to get anything for Marner at this point.

Goodbye Mitch

Marner’s number 16 should have been hanging in the rafters after his career, but that ain’t happening anymore. 

As we’ve discussed on this site before, Marner isn’t exactly the most loved Leaf. His playoff performances have been disgustingly bad, and his attitude towards the media and fans has been almost just as bad.

He’ll probably get booed in his return, and rightfully so. The hometown kid who should have been a franchise legend ruined his Leafs tenure, and Toronto should feel lucky to get a player like Roy back.

What’s next

The Leafs still have work to do in the free agent market, especially with their forwards. But Roy is a great start, and can help take the load off Tavares as the 2C.

We’ll see how this plays out, but for now, it seems like a great move from Treliving, albeit a tough one.