In an ideal world, Mitch Marner would have finished his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, eventually earning a spot on their esteemed Legends Row.
Instead, his journey takes him to Las Vegas`s Strip. The only asset the Maple Leafs received in return for the dynamic and sometimes exasperating player is Nicolas Roy, a capable but ultimately unremarkable third-line forward.
Considering the tight timeframe – just hours before Marner was eligible for unrestricted free agency – and the constraint of a full no-move clause he inherited and reportedly utilized previously when his trade value was higher, General Manager Brad Treliving did well to salvage *any* return in the June 30th sign-and-trade that officially marks the end of the team`s “Core Four” era.
With the assistance of an eighth contract year, which they otherwise couldn`t have offered, the Vegas Golden Knights managed to keep Marner`s salary cap hit at a relatively modest $12 million.
(Interestingly, Marner`s $96 million total contract value matches that of Mikko Rantanen, who was rumored to be a potential trade counterpart. Starting next season, they will share the distinction of being the NHL`s highest-paid wingers.)
Back in 2015, when Toronto prioritized high-end skill and drafted the future Golden Knights star from London, the Vegas Golden Knights franchise hadn`t even been conceived by Gary Bettman yet. Remarkably, Toronto selected Marner ahead of Noah Hanifin, who is now set to be one of his new teammates in Vegas.
The city welcomed one of its own with genuine enthusiasm, much like a warm hug from Carlton the Bear.
He was an undersized player blessed with exceptionally agile and deceptive hands, reminiscent of a skilled magician. His skating was fluid and imaginative, allowing him to perceive the hockey rink not just as a playing surface, but as a canvas for brilliant, unexpected plays, similar to how a skateboarder like Nyjah Huston might view a city staircase as a playground.
After an additional winter refining his game and leading the London Knights to a Memorial Cup championship, Marner transitioned to the NHL. He changed his jersey from No. 93 to No. 16. At the time, few in Leafs Nation doubted he possessed all the qualities required to become an enduring fan favorite, much like the legendary Dougie Gilmour.
Over nine regular seasons with his hometown team, Marner often seemed to toy with opponents, regularly stringing together multi-game point streaks. He`d effortlessly tally three assists on nights when he wasn`t the main focus, and explode for multiple goals and assists when he was particularly motivated.
He would expertly dispossess opponents on the backcheck, then consume valuable penalty time with unique circling maneuvers that most coaches would strongly advise against for other players.
We became so accustomed to Marner`s skill in kicking pucks to his own stick or seamlessly onto teammates` blades that his extraordinary plays sometimes became almost mundane. If the situation called for it, he was known to deliberately “header” passes.
Who else could execute a drop pass while on a breakaway and make it appear like the most optimal tactical choice?
Marner`s remarkable vision was a significant factor in the success of his first center, John Tavares. Tavares, who was notably recruited to Toronto partly based on a highlight reel showcasing Marner`s talent by then-GM Kyle Dubas, had a career-best season playing alongside Marner, recording 47 goals and 88 points.
Later, when paired with Auston Matthews, Marner`s contributions helped propel Matthews to three Rocket Richard trophies and a Hart Trophy. Both linemates became perennial All-Stars, and each was a finalist for the Selke Trophy at different points in their careers.
Leaving the 108-year-old franchise at the age of 28, seemingly still in his prime, Marner ranks fourth all-time in assists (520) and fifth all-time in points (741) for the Maple Leafs. Every player ranked ahead of him on these lists has had their number raised to the rafters and is enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Even the often-labeled `pass-first` Marner holds the 14th spot all-time among Leafs goal scorers (221).
Max Pacioretty, a former Golden Knight himself, remarked, “There’s no comparable player to him in the league. To possess that level of hockey intelligence and constantly have your head up, knowing everyone`s position on the ice – yes, many top players have great vision, but he`s operating on a completely different tier.”
Pacioretty found the notion of trying to emulate or learn from his former Maple Leafs teammate somewhat amusing.
“It’s incredibly difficult to replicate because his anticipation is truly astonishing,” the veteran commented. “Typically, when players attempt to anticipate a pass or break out early for a breakaway, it`s considered cheating. But when he does it, it`s not. That`s because he`s simply exceptional at reading the game and instinctively knowing where the puck will be. And I genuinely don’t believe that kind of innate skill can be taught.”
It`s challenging to explain to someone who didn`t personally experience the “Marner Years” in Toronto *why* and *how* the initial immense hope, potential, and highlight-reel brilliance ultimately dissolved into a period marked by bitter disappointment, numerous squandered opportunities, and a trade that offers only a modest return.
