The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded Mitch Marner, a star right winger, to the Vegas Golden Knights, marking the end of his nine-season tenure in Toronto. Marner's new contract is projected at $96 million over eight years, a significant deal for the 28-year-old. In exchange, the Maple Leafs receive center Nicolas Roy, who had a solid season with 15 goals and 31 points last year, alongside crucial salary cap relief of nearly $8 million.

Not only does this trade protect the Leafs from losing Marner to unrestricted free agency for nothing, but it also allows them to bolster their roster moving forward. Marner finishes his time in Toronto ranked fifth in all-time scoring with 741 points, having formed a dynamic duo with Auston Matthews. However, despite this success, the Leafs still seek their elusive Stanley Cup title, last won in 1967. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights aim to maximize their current roster as they look forward to defending their recent championship.