Mitch Marner begins a new chapter with the Vegas Golden Knights after his emotional departure from Toronto

Time of India

4 days ago

Mitch Marner begins a new chapter with the Vegas Golden Knights ( Image Via Twitter)
After about a decade in the Maple Leafs jersey, Mitch Marner's career looks to take quite a dramatic turn as he prepares to skate for the Vegas Golden Knights. While the ride westward is undoubtedly a new and major chapter in his hockey career, it is also one that is very deeply personal to him.
The Toronto native, having always grown up dreaming of a Stanley Cup that would be coming home to his place, is now hoping to work through a franchise that, on the other hand, has been hugely successful recently and has emerged as a very strong culture.
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Mitch Marner's 2025 playtime started with promise, but it soon deteriorated as the Toronto Maple Leafs failed to realize their championship dreams. Despite Marner putting up 13 points in the playoffs, he fell off the radar in Game 7 versus the Florida Panthers, as his side endured a gut-wrenching 6–1 loss, thus inviting all sorts of heavy criticism.
Marner was visibly frustrated, even yelling at some teammates on the bench, a sight that only brought home to the powers that be the extent of his anguish as well as the expectations heaped upon him as the hometown hero.
Assisting Auston Matthews for a Game 6 goal was a brief flurry of hope that could not revive Toronto's playoff run. Again, as the Leafs stumbled at this same round of the playoffs, Marner's moment in the postseason was overshadowed by an implosion from his teammates.
These playoff performances, coupled with pressure from fans and media alike, seemed to spur talk of a new chapter.
The blockbuster trade: Mitch Marner to Vegas Golden Knights
June 30, 2023: The Maple Leafs pulled off another high-level sign-and-trade. Mitch Marner signed an eight-year, $96 million extension with Toronto before being sent to Vegas in exchange for Nicolas Roy. For Marner, this was more than business, though-it was a welcome chance.
He would later figure out why Vegas was absolutely on the top of his list.
In Vegas, Marner said the emphasis lay on the winning atmosphere and culture of the team, and hence, in his eyes, there was much more to it than calling it an escape from Toronto's intense glare. There was a real opportunity to be a part of a roster that genuinely has a shot at lifting the Stanley Cup. He also added that, on a personal level, life in his new city suits his young family, so the decision was as much a family one as it was a business one.
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As Mitch Marner turns the page to join the Vegas Golden Knights, he shall take with him the teachings and the legacy of his years in Toronto. With new sights on a new horizon under another skyline, Marner will now chase the Stanley Cup in that city that knows how to win.
FAQ's
Q1. Why did Toronto trade Mitch Marner?
Ans: The Maple Leafs had yet to make deep playoff runs, and pressure for change had been mounting. Toronto chose to give itself a fresh start through a sign-and-trade move.
Q2. Which team did Marner join in 2025?
Ans: Marner was traded by the Maple Leafs and then sent to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Q3. How long was Mitch Marner with Toronto?
Ans: Mitch Marner had nine seasons in Toronto for the Maple Leafs from 2015 until 2025.
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