HELLO MITCH! Golden Knights Trade for Mitch Marner

The Golden Knights’ trade for Mitch Marner had more drama than a Netflix reality show involving terrible couples and lots of alcohol. Mitch Marner blocked previous trades during the NHL regular season so that he and his core-four with the Toronto Maple Leafs had one more shot at Stanley Cup glory. But it’s all over, and he’ll call Vegas home for eight years.

While Marner held out for one more shot with Toronto, as that team has done every year since 1969, Toronto failed to win the Stanley Cup. And as they have for every year since 2003, they didn’t even get close. Thus began Marner’s odyssey, and finally, the trade was done Monday just after 2 p.m. local time. The Vegas Golden Knights completed the sign-and-trade with Toronto to acquire Marner.

Going the other way is Nic Roy. Reports indicate it is a one-for-one trade, but the trade call with the league has not yet been completed. Roy has spent the last six seasons with the VGK, dutifully anchoring the bottom-six forwards. In 362 games with the Golden Knights, Roy has 68 goals and 166 points.

The final hurdle appeared to be the contract, but Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon delivered a whopping eight-year contract to Marner worth a healthy $96 million, carrying a $12 million average annual value.

For that kind of money, Marner will be able to afford a three-bedroom in Summerlin.

Last season, Marner cleared the 100-point mark for the first time, scoring 27 goals with 102 points. In nine NHL seasons, Marner has been a reliable point-per-game player, or better. In 657 games, he has 221 goals and 741 points, all with Toronto.

Marner annually gets votes for the Selke and Lady Byng Trophies, but has not yet won an individual award.

Vegas Hockey Now will update the story in real time as the deal is confirmed and the Golden Knights comment.