The Vegas Golden Knights are intensifying their interest in Mitch Marner, with recent reports indicating that trade discussions with the Toronto Maple Leafs have resumed regarding acquiring his signing rights. This eagerness comes just days before Free Agency opens on July 1st, leading some fans to wonder why the Golden Knights would pursue a trade rather than wait to sign Marner outright.
Elliotte Friedman addressed this question during a recent podcast, providing context around Marner’s situation with both Vegas and Toronto. He highlighted that interest in Marner has been ongoing for at least a year. Last year, prior to the Draft, the two teams discussed a potential deal that would have sent Marner to Vegas in exchange for defenseman Shea Theodore, a proposal the Golden Knights ultimately declined in order to retain Theodore.
As the trade deadline approached, discussions about Marner resurfaced, but complications arose, particularly involving the Carolina Hurricanes, which hindered any potential deal. More recently, at the Draft Combine, Vegas expressed renewed interest in negotiating for Marner’s rights, leading to the current discussions about a potential trade.
Friedman outlined several key reasons for Vegas’s interest in completing a trade, even with the impending Free Agency. First, by negotiating directly for Marner’s rights, the Golden Knights can engage with him without competition from other teams. Additionally, to accommodate Marner’s potential contract, Vegas needs to make cap adjustments, which could involve maneuvering players like Nic Roy or Nic Hague. With the opportunity to exceed the salary cap temporarily in the summer, the organization appears to be laying the groundwork for a successful acquisition.
Friedman also touched on the sensitive topic of tampering, indicating that if a trade occurs, it might reduce the likelihood of any tampering complaints from Toronto regarding Vegas’s courtship of Marner.
In light of this intrigue surrounding Marner and the Golden Knights, fans on social media remain curious about how these negotiations will unfold, particularly with the ongoing adjustments to team rosters and salary caps in a rapidly changing NHL landscape. The Golden Knights are keen on making a significant addition and could be positioned well to take advantage as Free Agency looms.
This continued interest in Marner highlights the dynamic and strategic chess game of NHL rosters, where timing and negotiation tactics are crucial for success. With the potential of bolstering their lineup, Vegas appears prepared to make bold moves in the near future.