'I gave everything I had': Maple Leafs move Marner to Golden Knights in sign-and-trade

Mitch Marner both dazzled and frustrated Maple Leafs fans across nine roller-coaster seasons.

The local kid dreamt of pulling on the Original Six franchise's blue-and-white threads and starring under his hometown's intense spotlight.

Now he's exiting stage left, a long march out the door complete.

The Leafs officially shipped the skilled winger to the Vegas Golden Knights for centre Nicolas Roy on Tuesday in a sign-and-trade deal that brings an end to Marner's time in Toronto — and the so-called "Core 4" that was never able to get the club over its playoff hump.

Marner agreed to an eight-year, US$96-million extension with his now-former team before the swap was completed. He would have only been able to sign a seven-year contract on the NHL's open market had he hit unrestricted free agency at noon ET.

The 28-year-year-old posted a message to his Instagram account shortly after the move was made official.

"Leaving isn't easy," Marner wrote. "All I wanted was help to bring a Stanley Cup to Toronto. That was always the goal, and I came up short. I know how much this team means to this city, and I know the expectations that come with wearing this jersey.

"I gave everything I had, but in the end, it wasn't enough. That's hard to admit, because I wanted it so badly, for all of us."

The Leafs also announced Tuesday they have re-signed pending restricted free agent forward Matthew Knies to a six-year, $46.5-million US extension — a deal widely reported over the weekend.

The 22-year-old Phoenix product registered 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points across 78 games in his second full NHL season playing on the top line alongside Marner and Auston Matthews.

Roy, who's heading into the final year of a contract that pays him $3 million annually, had 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) in 71 games last season. The 28-year-old from Amos, Que., has 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 79 playoff games, including the 11 he produced as part of the Knights' Cup victory in 2023.

It will now be Marner's responsibility to get Vegas back to that level after first- and second-round exits the last two springs.

Arguably the most talented local player to ever don Leafs colours, the No. 4 pick at the 2015 draft had exceptional regular-season success alongside a four-headed star forward group made up of Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares.

He registered 102 points in 2024-25 and hit 90 on three other occasions thanks to incredible vision, on-ice smarts and a magical set of hands. All told, Marner had 741 points (221 goals, 520 assists) in 657 regular-season games that saw him excel at both ends of the rink.

Apart from breathtaking offensive ability, Marner also took care of his own zone and was a key penalty killer, finishing seventh in Selke Trophy voting this season as the league's top defensive forward.

The playoffs, however, were a stunningly different story.

Marner, who inked a six-year contract extension with Toronto worth more than $65 million in September 2019, became the focus among a rabid fan base in the game's biggest media market for the team's post-season shortfalls.

The six-foot, 180-pound Marner produced 63 points (13 goals, 50 assists) in 70 playoff contests, but the Leafs made the second round just twice in his nine seasons.

In Games 5, 6 and 7 from 2017 through 2025, he scored just once and added 10 assists in 26 contests.

There was, however, plenty of blame to be shared as the Leafs managed just two wins in 11 series in the Matthews-Marner era. Toronto has lost all six of its Game 7s in that stretch, but also fell to the eventual Cup winner or runner-up five times.

Marner's last contract — a pact negotiated under the watch of former Leafs president Brendan Shanahan and general manager Kyle Dubas that pushed him close to an annual compensation of $11 million — included a full no-movement clause over its final two seasons.

It's believed Toronto attempted to deal Marner to the Carolina Hurricanes for fellow star forward Mikko Rantanen ahead of the March 2025 trade deadline, but he blocked the move. It's also been widely reported that he declined to negotiate with current GM Brad Treliving on a contract extension throughout the 2024-25 season.

Asked point-blank if he wished to stay with the Leafs following May's second-round playoff exit when Toronto fell in seven games to the Florida Panthers — a group that would go on to hoist its second straight Stanley Cup — it was what Marner didn't say that spoke volumes.

"I've always loved my time here, I've loved being here," he said at the time. "I've been so grateful."

Marner's bags now packed, Sin City awaits.

Ekblad, Marchand stay with Panthers

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad is staying with the Florida Panthers instead of becoming a free agent.

Ekblad is re-signing with the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions on an eight-year contract worth $48.8 million, according to two people with knowledge of the deal.

The Panthers also reportedly agreed on long-term deals with forward Brad Marchand.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the move had not been announced.

Ekblad re-signing on a deal that pays him an average of $6.1 million a season comes after the Panthers also brought back playoff MVP Sam Bennett. He had been making $7.5 million a year on his last deal and appeared to leave money on the table and give the only NHL organization he has ever been a part of a hometown discount.

Now 29, Ekblad has been a part of Florida's core since he was the No. 1 pick in the draft in 2014. With Ekblad, Seth Jones and Gustav Forsling all signed long term, the top four on defence will be set for the better part of the next decade once Niko Mikkola, who has a year left on his current contract, is extended.

Wild acquire Tarasenko

The Minnesota Wild got a two-time Stanley Cup champion for nothing on the eve of NHL free agency, and the New York Islanders locked up one of their top young players to a long-term contract.

The Wild acquired winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the Detroit Red Wings on Monday for future considerations.

The Islanders re-signed defenceman Alexander Romanov to an eight-year contract that a person with knowledge of the extension said is worth $50 million US.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms were not disclosed. Romanov will count $6.25 million against the salary cap through the 2032-33 season.

Tarasenko, 33, has one year left on his contract at a salary cap hit of $4.75 million.

He helped Florida win the Cup last year after being a key part of St. Louis' championship run in 2019.

Oilers extend Bouchard, Kapanen

The Edmonton Oilers re-signed star defenceman Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $42-million contract Monday, according to multiple media reports.

The hard-shooting Bouchard, known for his "Bouch Bomb" from the point, was set to become a restricted free agent.

The 25-year-old from Oakville, Ont., earns a massive raise on his previous $3.9-million salary cap hit after back-to-back high-production seasons to help Edmonton into the Stanley Cup final twice.

Kapanen, 28, had 13 points in 57 regular-season games and added six more in 12 playoff appearances after being claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

The Oilers also signed centre Noah Philp on Monday to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.

Philp, 26, appeared in 15 games for Edmonton last season and recorded two assists.

The Canmore, Alta., native had 35 points, including 19 goals, in 55 games with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.

Edmonton forwards Corey Perry, Connor Brown and Jeff Skinner, along with defenceman John Klingberg, remain unsigned and are set to become unrestricted free agents.

Oilers superstar centre Connor McDavid has a year left on his current deal, but will be eligible to sign a new contract for the 2026-27 season and beyond.

Free agency kicks off Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET.