Mitch Marner’s move to the Vegas Golden Knights grabbed most of the NHL’s attention this offseason. However, behind the scenes, the Toronto Maple Leafs were weighing far more than one dramatic exit plan.
How Close Did the Leafs Come to a Different Blockbuster Trade For Mitch Marner?
Marner eventually left Toronto through a sign-and-trade agreement with the Golden Knights, securing a max eight-year, $96 million contract. The Leafs received forward Nicolas Roy in return, officially ending Marner’s nine-year tenure with the franchise. But according to NHL insiders, that wasn’t the only major scenario on the table.
Once it became clear Marner had no interest in a contract extension, worn down by playoff disappointment and constant media scrutiny, the Leafs began scanning the trade market. Several possibilities were discussed internally as Toronto looked for the best possible return.
Carolina emerged as one option, with Martin Necas reportedly part of the conversation. But Toronto believed Marner would not waive his no-move clause to join the Hurricanes, effectively taking that path off the table.
That narrowed the focus back to Vegas.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, talks with the Golden Knights went further than most fans realized and briefly involved a marquee name on the blue line.
“Vegas didn’t want to move Shea Theodore,” Friedman said. “Alex Pietrangelo was mentioned, but Toronto chose not to pursue it due to serious health concerns. I don’t believe he was ever asked to consider it.”
Pietrangelo, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with St. Louis in 2019 and Vegas in 2023, is currently in the sixth year of his seven-year, $61.6 million deal. While adding a proven Cup winner was appealing, the Leafs ultimately backed away because of uncertainty surrounding his health.
The veteran defenseman has since stepped away from hockey after battling injuries last season. He requires bilateral femur reconstruction surgery and was placed on long-term injured reserve in October 2025Â while opting for rehabilitation to improve his quality of life.
Friedman also noted that Toronto slowly came to believe Vegas was Marner’s preferred destination if he left the Leafs, which complicated negotiations.
“They thought they would never get what they considered a fair offer from the Golden Knights,” Friedman said, because Vegas believed if he left Toronto, they’d get him,” Friedman added.
Toronto did explore an eight-year, $96 million extension, but discussions never gained momentum. While the Leafs insist they supported Marner throughout the process, fatigue on both sides led to tense conversations and a relationship that gradually wore down.
Now in a Golden Knights jersey, Marner is set to take on his former team again. Vegas already defeated Toronto in a tight overtime game last week, and Friday’s rematch promises another emotional chapter in a story that nearly unfolded very differently.
