Maple Leafs accused of “significant malpractice” in controversial sign and trade

When Mitch Marner officially became a member of the Golden Knights in a sign and trade earlier this month, the focus was on Vegas and the idea that they could face consequences for possible tampering in the transaction. Toronto moved Marner to Vegas in exchange for forward Nicolas Roy and as part of the deal, Marner signed an eight-year, $96 million contract that will keep him in Vegas through the 2032-33 season. The winger had been spotted days prior to the sign and trade with his wife in Vegas and some people wondered if the Golden Knights had been caught tampering. General manager Kelly McCrimmon explained how the Golden Knights have had trade discussions with the Maple Leafs on Mitch Marner going well back, including at the trade deadline when Toronto initiated those talks trying to strike a three-way deal that would have landed Marner in Vegas, and no proof was provided that any tampering took place.

However now, it is the Maple Leafs that are under fire when the Marner transaction is being discussed. A heated debate took place on TSN’s OverDrive earlier this month between Brian Hayes and Jonas Siegel, with the former being adamant that Toronto should have made a deal before the end of the season to get more value, while also criticizing the team for failing to force a deal with Marner whether by trading him or getting an extension done for him to stay put.

While Siegel explained that Marner did not want to leave during the trade deadline because his wife was pregnant, he does point out that the Leafs should have forced the winger’s hand sooner.

Hayes took it a step further, saying that if Brad Treliving and the Leafs front office knew Marner was going to Vegas prior to him signing, it was “significant malpractice”.

The Maple Leafs had multiple chances to trade Mitch Marner but waited too long, and finally paid the price. A deal could’ve happened before last season or even at the deadline, but Marner’s no-trade control, his wife’s pregnancy, and the team’s Stanley Cup hopes delayed any real movement. Though he started the playoffs strong with 13 points in 13 games, Marner faded when the Leafs needed him most, just like others, but he was the one with a contract up.

Marner, a hometown kid, wanted to stay in Toronto, but on terms the team couldn’t meet. The Leafs missed better trade windows, including a rejected offer involving Mikko Rantanen that was instead sent by the Carolina Hurricanes to the Dallas Stars, which Marner vetoed before he ended up in Vegas.

In the end, Marner controlled his future, but the Leafs’ hesitation left them with a weaker return. A more decisive approach might’ve avoided what became an inevitable, bitter breakup.