Mitch Marner has officially been traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, securing an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $12 million. This deal marks a significant shift for the 28-year-old winger, who was previously with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he emerged as a prolific scorer with 102 points last season, landing him among the top five NHL scorers. The Maple Leafs had anticipated Marner's desire to explore free agency, prompting them to work with Vegas, his preferred destination, to maximize their return on the asset.

In exchange, the Knights are sending forward Nicolas Roy to Toronto. This trade not only makes Marner the highest-paid player on the Golden Knights roster but also sets the stage for potential future moves, especially with Jack Eichel entering the final year of his contract. The deal highlights a growing trend in the NHL of sign-and-trade transactions as teams navigate the complexities of salary cap management.