If we haven’t told you to buckle up yet, we at Last Word On Hockey are yelling it out RIGHT now! We are back for another edition of NHL Rumours, and this time, we are traveling to Sin City. The Vegas Golden Knights seem to have bamboozled their way into the Mitch Marner sweepstakes. And if you are on Puckpedia right now, you are saying, what the heck, man!? But it is true, and we are here to tell you how they can make it happen.
“If [Vegas] could move one of those centremen in [William] Karlsson or [Tomáš] Hertl, then it opens it up for Mitch Marner.”@RealKyper discusses the potential for #LeafsForever & #VegasBorn to come together on a Mitch Marner trade with @jtbourne & @SamAMcKee. pic.twitter.com/6Q5ORxkpHk
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) June 24, 2025
NHL Rumours: Starring the Vegas Golden Knights
Rumour: Nick Kypreos, among others, but we will go with his call, are saying it is possible Vegas lands Marner. Let’s figure it out.
Analysis: This rumour does have some truth to it. Why? Vegas always seems to figure a way to land a showman to play the tables. So, what this rumour is about, is how they can truly make it happen.
Look back over Vegas’ entire franchise history. Consider for a moment names like Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, stars that are current Golden Knight players. The team has a solid reputation of landing the big fish, and via the trade route. But where does Mitch Marner and his Toronto Maple Leafs squad fall into all of this rumour milling?
Kypreos and his NHL rumours are suggesting that it is better for Marner to sign an eight-year deal with Toronto. That way it allows the average annual value to be somewhat lower. Then, they could do a trade-and-sign. That’s where Vegas enters the equation, being that they are perennially a cap team, if they want to land a big fish, they need to make a trade. They likely have Alex Pietrangelo going on long-term injury reserve, so that opens up some spending. However, that still doesn’t allow them to bring in Marner. Someone who is reportedly up to $12-14 million per season. That brings us to the next part of the equation, just who could the Golden Knights give up?
Who is Vegas Giving Up
Fortunately, when swapping for a star, you can give up a little more talent than you’d normally feel comfortable doing. That is why we are landing with William Karlsson. Even Hertl’s name popped up in this rumour. It obviously makes a lot of sense for Vegas, they are getting one of the premier playmakers in the entire NHL land of rumours. Plus, for Toronto, they are both centremen, always an advantage.
Karlsson makes $5.9 million a season for the next two years, or a big savings if you are Toronto. Hertl, even though playing better, his equivalency in availability to Toronto is offset by his contract. He is locked up until 2030, and makes over $8.1 million per annum.
Karlsson, at 32, who once scored 43 goals back in 2017-18, would be a great middle-six guy for Toronto. Hertl could also work, as he is coming off a nice 32-goal and 61-point campaign. If the Leafs are going this route, they will definitely have options. So, they can take their time and make the best deal available for the club. A deal that allows them to strengthen their chances at a Stanley Cup championship, and get over the hump that is the Florida Panthers. Guys like Karlsson or Hertl would do just that for their roster. Plus it will ultimately save them a bit of coin. Vegas might be one of the first with this idea, but don’t look for them to be the last. As we said, buckle up, hop on that plane, and head to the desert, things are happening.
Main Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The post NHL Rumours: If Vegas Wants to Catch a Star, They’ll Need a Trade appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.