Mitch Marner fueled the tampering allegations between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights in his first press conference.
Marner was part of a sign-and-trade between Toronto and Vegas as he signed an eight-year, $96 million deal. However, before the deal went through, there were rumors of Toronto potentially filing a tampering allegation against the Golden Knights with the NHL.
After Marner was introduced to Vegas, he spoke at his first press conference and fueled tampering allegations by saying he spoke to Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon on June 27, days before the trade was made.
“I wanted to wear number 93, and that number is retired in Toronto for great reasons. As soon as I came back to a new team, I was talking to Kelly on Friday night, and he gave me the call on what number I wanted to wear, and I said 93,” Marner said at the press conference.
The fact that Marner already had his number picked with the Golden Knights on Friday fueled fans’ speculation that tampering was going on.
As well, Marner says he spoke to former teammates Max Pacioretty and Ryan Reaves about what playing and living in Vegas is like weeks ago. Which was well before the trade happened.
“The living arrangements from talking to Pacioretty and Reavo the last couple of weeks, it seemed like everything was a good fit for my wife and I, and our new son. The winning aspect of this team helped as well,” Marner said.
Marner recorded 27 goals and 75 assists for 102 points in 81 games last season with the Maple Leafs.
Marner Reveals When he Thought he’d Sign With Vegas
Although many Maple Leafs think tampering was going on, Marner revealed when he realized the Golden Knights were interested.
Marner points to the potential three-team trade at the deadline, with him going to Vegas, that he realized signing with the Golden Knights was an option.
“We kind of heard that Vegas would be interested in doing a three-way deal. From what it sounded like, not much really happened going forward, process-wise,” Marner said. “That was kind of when we started talking, well, it sounds like Vegas has interest in us, we have interest in them.
“That’s when we started to try and think about it. But not overthink it, I guess, I was still committed to playing Toronto hockey,” Marner added. “I wanted to focus on just being there and finishing a job there. Kind of when the season ended, I sat down with my whole family and discussions of what stuff could look like, and luckily enough, Vegas came with the deal.”
Marner ended up agreeing to a $96 million deal in a sign-and-trade.
Marner Thanks Maple Leafs
After Marner was part of a sign-and-trade for the Golden Knights, he penned an emotional message.
Marner thanked the fans and the staff. But, the beginning of the message was about how he wanted to help the Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup.
“Dear Toronto. Now that my time in Toronto has come to an end, I wanted to share what these last nine years have meant to me. Leaving isn’t easy,” Marner’s message began. “This city is where I grew up. Where I fell in love with hockey. And where I’ve had the incredible honour of living out of my childhood dream. Wearing the Maple Leaf on my chest wasn’t just about playing for a team; it was about representing my home.
“When I was drafted, all I wanted was to help bring a Stanley Cup to Toronto. That was always the goal, and I came up short,” Marner added. “I know how much this team means to this city. And, I know the expectations that come with wearing this jersey. I gave everything I had, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. That’s hard to admit, because I wanted it so badly, for all of us.”
Marner was drafted fourth overall in 2015 by the Maple Leafs.
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