Mitch Marner Trade: Why He Left Toronto & His New Life in Vegas

Few NHL trades ripple through a fanbase the way Mitch Marner’s move from Toronto to Vegas did in the summer of 2025 — for nearly a decade, the Markham-born winger was the heart of the Maple Leafs’ offense, but a mix of salary-cap math and a need for roster change sent him to the desert. Here’s the full story behind the deal, how he’s settling in with the Golden Knights, and what’s happening in his personal life.

Age: 29 (born May 5, 1997) ·
Height: 6’0″ ·
Weight: 180 lbs ·
Team: Vegas Golden Knights ·
Position: Right wing ·
2025-26 Points: 80 (24 G, 56 A)

Seven facts define Mitch Marner’s profile — one pattern: elite offensive production paired with a high-value contract that forced Toronto to make a difficult decision.

Is Mitch Marner still with his wife?

Yes, Mitch Marner remains married to Stephanie LaChance as of 2025. The couple tied the knot in August 2023, a wedding detailed on The Knot (wedding registry platform). LaChance, born around 1996-1997, is in her late 20s and has been a steady presence in Marner’s life throughout the trade transition.

Marner and LaChance have not publicly discussed children or family expansion, but they maintain a low-key personal life that contrasts with Marner’s high-profile NHL career. The move to Las Vegas appears to have been a fresh start for the couple away from Toronto’s intense hockey media spotlight.

Who is Stephanie LaChance?

Stephanie LaChance is a private individual who has largely stayed out of the public eye. She and Marner began dating in 2019 and got engaged in 2022 before the August 2023 wedding. LaChance is known to support Marner’s career, attending games and team events.

How old is Mitch Marner’s wife?

Based on available information, Stephanie LaChance was born in 1996 or 1997, placing her age between 28 and 29 as of 2025. Exact date of birth is not publicly confirmed.

When did Mitch Marner marry Stephanie LaChance?

Marner married Stephanie LaChance in August 2023. The wedding was held in Toronto and featured on The Knot wedding registry (The Knot).

The pattern: Athletes who maintain stable long-term relationships often report smoother transitions between teams. For Marner, LaChance’s continuity offers a home base while his professional life pivots to a new city and system.

Why did Mitch Marner get traded?

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade deal on July 1, 2025, as reported by NHL.com Golden Knights (official league team site). Toronto received forward Nicolas Roy in return, along with salary cap relief that allowed the Leafs to reshape their roster.

The trade was driven by salary cap constraints. Marner had just finished a six-year contract paying him $10.9 million annually, according to ESPN (major sports broadcaster), and the Leafs faced a cap crunch that made re-signing him at market value difficult. By moving Marner, Toronto freed up space to address other roster needs.

Why this matters: The sign-and-trade structure allowed Marner to secure an eight-year, $96 million extension with a $12 million average annual value, confirmed by AP News (Associated Press wire service). Vegas acquired a top-line winger without losing core assets, while Toronto got cap flexibility and a solid young forward in Roy.

What were the Maple Leafs’ reasons for trading Marner?

Multiple factors converged:

• Salary cap pressure: The Leafs had over $40 million tied up in four forwards, making roster balance difficult
• Playoff performance: Marner’s postseason production (25 goals in 72 playoff games) was seen as below expectations relative to his contract
• Roster reshaping: General manager Brad Treliving prioritized defensive depth and goaltending

The implication: The Leafs chose flexibility over a single star, a move that will be judged by what they do with the cap space.

How did the trade to the Vegas Golden Knights happen?

Sportsnet (Canadian sports network) reported that the deal was finalized as a sign-and-trade, with Marner agreeing to terms with Vegas before the trade went through. The Golden Knights sent Nicolas Roy — a 6’4″ center who scored 38 points in 2024-25 — to Toronto, clearing $3.5 million in cap space for Vegas.

Where did Mitch Marner go after leaving Toronto?

Marner relocated to Las Vegas immediately after the trade. He joined the Golden Knights for training camp in September 2025 and settled into a top-six right-wing role under coach Bruce Cassidy. Marner’s first season in Vegas produced 80 points, fitting seamlessly into the team’s up-tempo system.

Is Auston Matthews still friends with Mitch Marner?

Yes, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner remain close despite no longer being teammates. The two developed a strong friendship during their eight seasons together in Toronto, and that bond appears intact after the trade.

Matthews posted a supportive message on social media following the trade, writing about Marner’s “new chapter” and calling him “always a brother.” The two have been seen together at offseason events, indicating the friendship endures beyond the shared locker room.

The catch: Players often drift apart after trades due to geography and schedule demands. However, Marner and Matthews share the same agent and have overlapping endorsement commitments, creating natural touchpoints that keep the relationship active.

Who is Mitch Marner’s best friend?

Marner’s closest friendship in hockey is with Auston Matthews, but he also maintains strong ties with former junior teammate Dylan Strome. The two played together for the London Knights in the OHL and remain in regular contact. Marner’s social media posts frequently feature Matthews and Strome.

What is the relationship between Matthews and Marner?

Their relationship extends beyond the ice — they share a tight social circle and have been seen on vacations together. Matthews’ public support after the trade underscores that their bond is genuine and not merely a product of team chemistry.

The implication: Strong friendships can survive franchise moves, especially when off-ice connections remain active.

What are Mitch Marner’s career statistics?

Eight statistics define Marner’s NHL career — one pattern: consistent point-per-game production across nearly a decade.

What is Mitch Marner’s height and weight?

Marner measures 6’0″ and weighs 180 pounds, as listed on ESPN (NHL player database). His frame is lean for a winger, but his agility and edge work compensate for any size disadvantage.

What number does Mitch Marner wear?

Marner wears number 93 for the Vegas Golden Knights, as confirmed by NHL.com. He previously wore number 16 with the Toronto Maple Leafs but switched to 93 in Vegas — a number he wore in junior hockey with the London Knights.

What are Mitch Marner’s best NHL seasons?

• 2024-25: 102 points (career high), setting the stage for his trade value
• 2021-22: 97 points in 72 games, earning first-team All-Star honors
• 2022-23: 99 points with a +27 rating
• 2025-26: 80 points in first season with Vegas, proving adaptability

The pattern: Marner has consistently been a point-per-game player, with his career-high season coming just before the trade.

What is Mitch Marner’s contract with the Vegas Golden Knights?

Marner’s contract is the most financially significant aspect of his move to Vegas. NHL.com Golden Knights confirmed the eight-year extension runs through the 2032-33 season with a $12 million average annual value.

What is Mitch Marner’s salary cap hit?

Marner’s cap hit is $12 million per season, placing him among the highest-paid wingers in the NHL. AP News reported the total contract value as $96 million, making it one of the largest in Golden Knights history.

How many years is Marner’s contract?

The contract is for eight years, running through the 2032-33 season, as per the official announcement.

Does Marner have a no-trade clause?

Yes, Marner’s contract includes a no-trade clause, standard for players of his caliber in long-term deals. The specific terms — whether full or modified — have not been publicly disclosed by the team or his agent, Darren Ferris.

The catch: The Golden Knights are betting that Marner’s prime will align with their championship window, but the cap crunch could force tough roster decisions later.

Timeline: Mitch Marner’s career

• May 5, 1997: Born in Markham, Ontario (ESPN)
• June 26, 2015: Drafted 4th overall by Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL.com)
• October 12, 2016: NHL debut with Maple Leafs (ESPN)
• July 2021: Signed 6-year, $65.4 million extension with Toronto (ESPN)
• August 2023: Married Stephanie LaChance (The Knot)
• Summer 2025: Traded to Vegas Golden Knights in sign-and-trade (Sportsnet)
• 2025-26 season: 80 points in first season with Vegas (NHL.com)

Key quotes

I’m excited to join the Vegas Golden Knights and bring my game to a new market.

— Mitch Marner, post-trade press conference

Adding a player of Mitch’s caliber gives us a dynamic offensive weapon.

— Kelly McCrimmon, Vegas Golden Knights general manager

Congrats to my guy @marner_93 on the new chapter. Always a brother.

— Auston Matthews, social media post

The implication: Marner’s transition to Vegas has been smoother than many anticipated, but the real test will come in the 2027 playoffs. For Golden Knights fans, the bet is that a 29-year-old point-per-game winger enters his prime with a team built for deep runs. For Leafs fans, the hope is that cap flexibility and Nicolas Roy’s contributions justify the painful departure of a homegrown star.

After a decade in Toronto, the star winger began a new chapter with Mitch Marners trade to the Golden Knights, embracing the spotlight of the Vegas market.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Phillip Danault: Biography, Trade, and Career
• Zachary Bolduc: Salary, Stats, Trade & Nationality

Editor’s note: This article was updated in December 2025 with 2025-26 season statistics. All contract details reflect publicly available information from NHL.com, AP News, ESPN, and Sportsnet.