As speculation intensifies around a potential trade of Mitch Marner's negotiating rights from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights, one potential trade piece is now off the table. Early Monday morning, multiple reports surfaced that Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague was being dealt to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and forward Colton Sissons. Hague is also expected to sign a four-year extension worth $5.5 million per season.

According to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, Hague was previously a person of interest for the Maple Leafs. His name surfaced amid reports that the Leafs and Golden Knights were discussing a trade for Marner’s negotiating rights before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. While forward Nic Roy was mentioned as a more likely piece in that return, with only one reference to Hague, it is unlikely that this move will cool Toronto's interest in getting something for their star player.

However, the situation grew more complex on Sunday when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, on his

32 Thoughts podcast, questioned if the Leafs would file for tampering charges against Vegas should Marner end up with the club as a free agent.

“I have no proof that Vegas is guilty of anything, but it's a time around the league where teams are extremely sensitive about it. And as a couple of GMs told me on Saturday, they think the NHL is itching to try and make an example out of someone,” Friedman said. “But if they make a deal with Toronto and send a good player or two to Toronto, I'm betting any chance the Maple Leafs file for tampering goes away. So all those reasons Getting to Marner faster, clearing cap space, Toronto gets good players, and eliminating any possibility of any tampering investigation. Which is being whispered everywhere around the league. All that goes away if this deal gets done”.

If Mitch Marner Leaves in Free Agency, Could the Maple Leafs Pursue Tampering Charges? Just when you thought Mitch Marner’s seemingly inevitable exit from Toronto couldn’t get more nasty, a new report has emerged. The Toronto Maple Leafs may be preparing to take action.

Of course, any league action would require proof of tampering. If the league takes action against the Golden Knights for tampering, the club could face the following sanctions:

Up to a $5-million fine
Termination of any contracts that were signed
Forfeiture of draft picks
Awarding draft picks or cash to the offended club
Marner himself could be subjected to a fine of up to $1 million or possibly face a suspension.

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.

Certainly, the awarding of draft picks to the offended club would ensure some sort of compensation. We’ll wait and see. But for now, Hague’s name can be removed from the list of players potentially coming to Toronto.

Hague's name was only mentioned in one report while Nic Roy's name had been mentioned frequently. The move didn't really save Vegas much cap space, clearing just $640,000. The move of Hague shouldn't scuttle talks with Toronto. But it doesn't mean a deal between the two clubs will happen, either.

(Headline Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

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