Big news is shaking the NHL world as Mitch Marner, after nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, makes a blockbuster move to the Vegas Golden Knights. In a stunning turn of events, Marner’s journey from being one of Toronto’s most talked-about stars to joining the glitz and glamour of Vegas has captivated fans and analysts alike. The hockey community is abuzz with speculation, excitement, and plenty of questions about what led to this dramatic shift.

As the dust settles, Marner’s first words as a Golden Knight offer a glimpse behind the scenes—hinting at the personal connections and persuasive efforts that played a pivotal role in his decision. With the allure of a fresh start and the promise of joining a powerhouse team out west, Marner’s move signals a new era not only for himself but for both franchises involved.

The anticipation is palpable as fans wonder how this high-profile acquisition will shape the future of the Golden Knights and what it means for the Maple Leafs moving forward. One thing is certain: the NHL landscape just got a little more unpredictable, and all eyes are on Vegas as Marner begins the next chapter of his career.

Mitch Marner with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Photo credit: Toronto Star

Mitch Marner is now a Vegas Golden Knight, and in his first comments with the team, he revealed the two players that lured him to the Western Conference.

After nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner became one of the most polarizing figures in franchise history, but now, he’s departed his home town team.

That happened by way of sign-and-trade, and while things came together quickly before July 1st, Marner seemingly wanted Vegas for quite some time, with reports noting that he wanted to be a Golden Knight for at least 12 months.

Whether that’s the case or not, Marner addressed that entire situation in his first press conference with the team, revealing that it was the treatment he received from Mark Stone and Adin Hill at the Four Nations Face Off for Team Canada that lured him to Vegas.

“Stoney, and Hill at 4 Nations was awesome; not just me but my wife loved the living situation. From my side of things it was trying to win at the 4 Nations and knew they were great hard-working guys and it was pretty eye opening for me.”

Not only did he love the idea of moving to Vegas, but so did his wife, and all the recruiting that Stone & Hill did throughout that tournament clearly paid off, as he joined the team on a huge eight-year, $12 million AAV deal.

Ultimately, the lure of leaving the pressure and constant media attention in Toronto would have no doubt been a motivating factor as well, but with the likes of Stone, Hill and Jack Eichel among others becoming his new teammates, it’s safe to say that he’s fairly confident with his decision.