A Mitch Marner free-agent signing with the Vegas Golden Knights could unleash a tempering investigation by the NHL.
Insider Elliotte Friedman dropped a bombshell claim in the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, stating that the Toronto Maple Leafs could file a complaint against Vegas for tampering.
According to prevailing league rules, teams cannot speak to impending free agents until July 1, when their contracts officially expire. Before then, only the player’s previous team can speak to said player. That situation creates an exclusive negotiating window.
When teams and players’ agents speak before the July 1 opening of free agency, they are violating the terms of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
As Friedman noted, the Golden Knights have overstepped bounds by wanting to get to Marner ahead of everyone else.
Friedman offered this thought on the tampering suspicions regarding Vegas:
“I’m not passing any judgment on guilty or not guilty of tampering. I have no idea. I’m just a guy holding a microphone in the bowels of the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. But there’s been some talk that if Marner goes to Vegas, the Maple Leafs will go after Vegas for tampering.”
If the Maple Leafs file a complaint, it could open the door for the NHL to take drastic action. Friedman added:
“Again, I have no proof that Vegas is guilty of anything. But it’s a time around the league when teams are extremely sensitive about it, and, as a couple of GMs told me on Saturday, they think the NHL is itching to try and make an example out of someone.”
The NHL has been looking to crack down on tampering practices. And, this situation could provide the league with the perfect opportunity.
Friedman concluded:
“These GMs are on alert. They think somebody’s going to get hammered.”
Have a listen to the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast from the beginning until the 13:20 mark.
A Good Return for Maple Leafs Could Make the Investigation Go Away
One of the key points of Friedman’s argument is that if the Maple Leafs get a good player or players in return for Mitch Marner, they could forego filing a complaint.
That thought stems from the rumored sign-and-trade deal that was dropped on fans during the 2025 NHL Draft.
On Saturday, reports surfaced from Friedman that a sign-and-trade deal involving Marner was on the table. Friedman added that Nic Roy was one of the players believed to be headed to Toronto.
The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported that the Golden Knights had a deal in place for Marner:
With a Mitch Marner deal likely in place already, ahead of the official negotiating period for free agents, the Golden Knights could have put themselves in a position where they are vulnerable to an investigation by the NHL.
But, as Friedman stated, the Maple Leafs’ claims could get swept under the rug if the return is good for the Leafs.
Marner Determined to Sign with Vegas
The rumblings around the league for the last two weeks or so have been that Marner is determined to sign with Vegas. The Golden Knights, along with the LA Kings, have been rumored to be Marner’s top destinations.
However, the biggest issue for the Golden Knights has been cap space. Recent chatter has picked up regarding defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. Reports from David Pagnotta signal that Pietrangelo could be out for the entire 2025-26 season, landing his $8 million cap hit on LTIR.
That unfortunate turn of events could allow the Golden Knights to clear enough cap space to sign Marner this offseason.
So, trading someone like Roy and his $3 million cap hit could be a matter of clearing just enough cap space for Marner’s roughly $12 million cap and avoiding a tampering investigation.
This story is developing, so fans should keep a close eye out for the latest news.
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