End of an Era: Mitch Marner Traded to Vegas After Nine Seasons in Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a franchise-altering move, officially parting ways with longtime winger Mitch Marner. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs have completed a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, sending the 28-year-old to the Western Conference in exchange for centre Nicolas Roy.

As part of the deal, Marner has signed an eight-year, $96 million extension with Vegas, carrying a $12 million AAV, making him one of the NHL’s highest-paid forwards.

Trade Details
To Vegas:
Mitch Marner (rights + 8-year, $96M extension)

To Toronto:
Nicolas Roy (1 year remaining, $3M cap hit)

Marner by the Numbers
Marner leaves Toronto as one of the most productive players in franchise history. Drafted 4th overall in 2015, the Markham, Ontario native lived out the dream of playing for his hometown team and delivered consistent elite production:
Regular season: 657 GP – 221 G, 520 A, 741 points
Playoffs: 70 GP – 63 points
Franchise all-time scoring rank: 5th, trailing only Mats Sundin, Darryl Sittler, Dave Keon, and Borje Salming

Despite his individual success, Marner’s tenure will also be remembered for the team’s playoff struggles. The Leafs’ core — Marner, Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander, and Morgan Rielly — advanced past the first round just twice in eight seasons, and went winless (0–6) in winner-take-all games, including a 6–1 loss to Florida in Game 7 of the second round this spring.

Cap Implications & Trade Motivation
Marner had one year remaining on his previous contract at $10.9 million AAV, signed under former GM Kyle Dubas in September 2019. His full no-movement clause gave him control of his future, and reports in March indicated he had previously declined a trade to Carolina involving Mikko Rantanen.

By moving Marner now and recouping a responsible, two-way forward in Nicolas Roy, the Maple Leafs gain much-needed cap flexibility and begin a retool under GM Brad Treliving focused on balance, depth, and a fresh leadership dynamic.

Who Is Nicolas Roy?
Age: 28
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 210 lbs
2024–25 Stats: 71 GP – 15 G, 16 A
Strengths: Defensive zone responsibility, PK reliability, faceoff capability
Contract: 1 year remaining at $3M AAV

Final Thoughts
Trading Mitch Marner marks the end of a major chapter in Maple Leafs history — one filled with dazzling regular-season moments, elite-level production, and the lingering question of “what if” in the postseason.

While fans will debate the legacy, there’s no denying that Marner left a significant mark on the organization — both statistically and culturally. As he heads to Vegas for a fresh start, Toronto now turns the page, hoping to reshape its identity and write a new script for playoff success.

Stay with TMLDomain.com for full reaction, lineup implications, and what this trade signals about the Leafs’ next big move in free agency or on the trade market.