Maple Leafs Trade Pitch Lands Them Star $8.8 Million Defenseman For Mitch Marner
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner has been linked to a number of teams, including the Vegas Golden Knights, in trade rumors 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 can now make their own trades. One user’s deal saw Marner go to Vegas for defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, along with other parts.
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. This offseason, he also signed a $6 million, two-year contract with Toronto, but trade rumors, have continued to include 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.
Insider Connects Marner to the Knights of Troy
As Marner approaches the last year of his contract, trade rumors around him have surfaced. Many people believed Toronto would make a big move following yet another first-round playoff defeat.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman first connected Marner to the Golden Knights on June 12, citing their glut of defensemen as a reason Toronto would be interested.
“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 MarnerDespite 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.
After the 2024 NHL draft on June 29, Berube noted, “He’s a character guy, a great person.” 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 during the previous season, Marner registered 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points. It’s no secret that the former fourth-overall pick wants to stay in Toronto for the foreseeable future.