The Toronto Maple Leafs have kicked off a new chapter by trading star forward Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in a bold move following his eight-year, $96 million signing. While the Leafs secured depth at center with Nicolas Roy coming in return, they were able to avoid losing Marner for nothing had he opted to sign as a free agent. This shift signifies the end of Marner's impactful era with the team, in which he was drafted fourth overall in 2015 and became a pivotal player.

Additionally, the Leafs have extended Steven Lorentz’s contract and navigated qualifying offers for several restricted free agents. Notably, Pontus Holmberg will become an unrestricted free agent, while others like Matthew Knies are in the pipeline for significant agreements. The team also made a strategic move by trading for Utah winger Matias Maccelli, acquiring him for a conditional third-round draft pick. These changes reflect the Leafs’ commitment to reshaping their roster and addressing their immediate needs for the upcoming season.