Mitch Marner is on his way to Las Vegas.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights just one day before the star player was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Friedman reports that Vegas signed Marner to an eight-year deal worth $12 million per season. Vegas needed to make a trade with Toronto by 11:59 p.m. ET in order to offer the eighth year. The trade ends much speculation about the player's future in Toronto. He had been linked in a potential trade to Vegas dating back to last season.

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, forward Nic Roy is the only return in the deal, making it a 1-for-1 trade for Marner's rights. 

Roy was speculated as part of the reported talks between the two clubs when word broke on Saturday.

Report: Maple Leafs And Golden Knights Discussing Mitch Marner Sign And Trade, Could Include Nic Roy The Mitch Marner sweepstakes could end before free agency begins.

Vegas' interest in the All-Star forward reportedly went back as far as last summer when Marner's future came into question. On July 1, 2024, the player was eligible to sign a contract extension with the Leafs but never engaged in those discussions. In recent days, word came that the Golden Knights, Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes had worked on a three-team trade that would have sent Marner to Toronto on a couple of occasions, but that the package never satisfied the Canes, thus ending that speculation.

Marner addressed his future on few occasions last season. When he reported to training camp he opened by saying he would not take questions or comment on his future. When word came to light of Carolina's attempt to land Marner ahead of the NHL trade deadline in a deal that would have seen forward Mikko Rantanen join Toronto. Marner declined the request and Rantanen was traded to the Dallas Stars and subsequently signed an eight-year deal worth $12 million per season.

The trade on Monday effectively ends the Marner era in Toronto. He leaves the Maple Leafs as the fifth-leading scorer in franchise history with 221 goals and 520 assists in 657 games. A local boy, Marner was drafted fourth overall in the 2015 NHL Draft and played nine seasons for his hometown club. But it ends on a bit of a sour note. The Leafs won just two playoff rounds during his tenure with the club. He was often scapegoated for the team's lack of postseason success.  In his final game as a Leaf, he was booed when he touched the puck in the last few shifts as they fell 6-1 in Game 7 of their second-round series against the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. It's a cautionary tale of a superstar that should have had more success beyond his individual accomplishments, which were plentiful, and should no doubt help a Vegas Club that has established success.

(Photo credit: IMAGN Images)

Report: Maple Leafs Trying To Re-Sign Steven Lorentz Before Free Agency Opens The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly attempting a last-minute effort to re-sign pending <a href="https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/player/steven-lorentz-8478904">unrestricted free agent Steven Lorentz</a>.

Maple Leafs Trade for Matias Maccelli: Why Toronto Acquired Winger From Utah Mammoth The Toronto Maple Leafs <a href="https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-acquire-maccelli-from-utah">have acquired Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth</a> in exchange for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2027, which will convert to a second-round draft pick in 2029 if Maccelli record at least 51 points in the 2025-26 NHL season.

Maple Leafs Prospects Easton Cowan And Ben Danford Highlight 2025 Development Camp Roster The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced <a href="https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-announce-2025-development-camp-roster">their roster for this year's development camp</a>.