The Vegas Golden Knights’ acquisition of Mitch Marner dominated headlines this summer for all the right reasons. That said, there were more than a few theories on why exactly it was time for Vegas to swoop in for Marner.
One of those theories surprisingly involved the Edmonton Oilers. Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon recently decided to give his side of the story on that theory after handing Marner a blockbuster eight-year, $96 million deal.
Was Mitch Marner the Golden Knights’ Missing Piece All Along?
McCrimmon was asked whether the trade was a direct reaction to the Golden Knights’ second-round playoff loss to Edmonton. He dismissed that idea, saying Marner had been on their radar much earlier.
“It wasn’t something we thought of last minute,” he said on the 100% Hockey podcast, noting that Vegas had already inquired about Marner’s availability last offseason and even held discussions with Toronto at the trade deadline.
The message was clear that Marner was always a target, not a knee-jerk reaction to being bounced out of the playoffs by the Oilers.
“We wanted to add a player like that to the wing. We wanted to put another really skilled player in our lineup on the wings. We really feel good about our centers, but we wanted to add that type of winger. So that was our interest,” he added.
McCrimmon explained that the Edmonton series wasn’t the sole motivator for the move.
“They were better than us in that series, that’s why they won it,” McCrimmon admitted, “but I don’t think it was a situation where we questioned the makeup of our roster.”
Instead, Vegas identified Marner as a player who could elevate their offense. Known for his elite playmaking, Marner is coming off a career-high 102-point season in Toronto. He now joins Jack Eichel on the Golden Knights’ top line, with Ivan Barbashev expected to provide net-front presence.
The pairing of Marner and Eichel gives Vegas one of the league’s most dynamic setups.
McCrimmon also emphasized that the Golden Knights’ philosophy isn’t about reacting to rivals’ moves. He said the team focuses on building its own version of a championship roster rather than copying others in the division.
That mindset, he suggested, guided their pursuit of Marner long before the Edmonton loss.
Marner Already Adjusting To Life In Vegas
Marner has already begun getting acclimatized to life in Sin City. He spoke about the transition at training camp, saying the off-ice adjustment has been smooth.
“It’s just been different here,” Marner said. “People know their hockey, but it’s not all the time.”
Marner’s departure from Toronto remains a talking point. After nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, his exit divided opinion among fans.
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Reports suggested he may have been distracted during the 2025 playoffs, but new Leafs head coach Craig Berube dismissed that idea, saying Marner handled the situation professionally.
The spotlight will intensify when Marner returns to Scotiabank Arena on January 23. He acknowledged the upcoming matchup, admitting it will feel unusual walking into the visitors’ side.
“When that moment comes, we’ll take it head-on and see what happens,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vegas fans are still waiting to see him officially debut in gold and black. The Golden Knights open the season October 8 against the Los Angeles Kings, with Marner expected to play a central role from the get-go.