Golden Knights’ Original Misfit Included in Mitch Marner Trade Talks

Ever since the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Mitch Marner has dominated the news cycle. Marner headlines an otherwise subpar Free Agent crop, which only serves to magnify the intrigue. Thus, he’ll have no shortage of suitors on July 1st. 

Even in a deeper Free Agent crop, Marner’s landing spot would be a point of interest. He’s a superstar winger fresh off a 102-point campaign. Last season, he scored just 27 goals, but seven were game-winners, and three came in overtime. He’s one of the best playmakers in the league. 

Marner is also a perennial candidate for the Frank J. Selke Trophy awarded to the best defensive forward. This season, he dropped to 7th, but he was a finalist for the 2022-23 season and finished 3rd.

Selke finalist, 102-point wingers rarely make it to Free Agency, so the hockey world is rightfully abuzz with chatter. Last week, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined Jeff Marek’s The Sheet to discuss Marner’s possible landing spots– one being the Vegas Golden Knights.

Pagnotta circled back to discuss old trade chatter after naming the Golden Knights as a potential destination for Marner. Last summer, they engaged in Marner talks with the Maple Leafs, but the would-be blockbuster fell through after the Golden Knights refused to part with Shea Theodore.

According to Pagnotta, there was more to the story. One summer after they sent Reilly Smith to Pittsburgh, the Golden Knights allegedly tried to part ways with another Original Misfit. 

“[Vegas and Toronto] had conversations last summer,” said Pagnotta. “I know there were reports of Shea Theodore; my understanding is William Karlsson was part of the discussion at one point as well. And he’s got some No Trade protection; I believe that also played a factor in that whole discussion.”

William Karlsson, 32, has two years left on his eight-year, $5.9 million contract. Prior to Jack Eichel’s 94-point campaign this year, Karlsson held the franchise record for points in a single season with 78.

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