The Vegas Golden Knights, despite clinching a wild card spot in the postseason, faced a tough challenge and fell to the Dallas Stars in the first round of the playoffs. As they aim for a strong comeback in the 2024-25 season, following their Stanley Cup win in 2023, the team faces significant roster needs and salary cap constraints that General Manager Kelly McCrimmon must navigate.
Currently, the Golden Knights are $3.6 million over the salary cap, limiting McCrimmon’s flexibility in making offseason moves. One strategy to enhance the roster is through trades, and a notable potential target is Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner. According to Nate Duffett of Clutch Points, Marner, who is entering the final season of his six-year contract, is drawing interest across the league due to his perceived availability.
Toronto, needing to clear cap space while also seeking to bolster their defense, might consider a trade involving Shea Theodore from the Golden Knights. Theodore is also entering the final season of his seven-year, $36 million contract, making him a viable trade piece. However, aligning the salaries of Marner ($10.9 million) and Theodore requires additional players to be included in the deal.
Marner has been a standout regular-season player since his entry into the league but has faced criticism for underperforming in the playoffs. Last season, he scored 26 goals and 59 assists in 69 regular-season games but managed only three points in seven postseason games before Toronto’s first-round exit against the Boston Bruins.
A trade to the Golden Knights could provide Marner a fresh start while maintaining a top-line role. However, Marner’s contract includes a full no-move clause, allowing him to block any trade he dislikes. For a trade to happen, Marner would need to waive this clause.
Despite trade rumors, Marner expressed his desire to remain with the Maple Leafs during his end-of-season availability in May 2024. “That’d be a goal. I’ve expressed my love for this place, this city. Obviously, I’ve grown up here. We’ll start thinking about that now and trying to figure something out… It means the world to me,” Marner stated.
From Toronto’s perspective, acquiring Shea Theodore could significantly strengthen their defense. Currently, the Leafs have limited cap space, with just $955,333 available and 21 of 23 players rostered. Heavy Sports suggested a trade involving New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba, while Peter Baracchini of The Hockey Writers proposed Theodore and goalie Logan Thompson as potential trade targets for Marner.
Theodore, who posted 42 points in 47 games last season while averaging 22:05 of ice time per game, could be a valuable addition to Toronto’s blue line. However, like Marner, Theodore also holds a modified no-move clause, listing five teams he cannot be traded to.
A Marner-Theodore trade could help Vegas and Toronto address their respective needs and potentially facilitate a contract extension for Theodore, who would be a more affordable option than Marner post-2024-25 season. Yet, both players would need to approve the trade by waiving their no-move clauses, making the transaction complex but potentially beneficial for both franchises.
