Toronto Maple Leafs may try tampering charges if Mitch Marner signs with Vegas Golden Knights | NHL News
With free agency nearing, conversations surrounding star forward Mitch Marner are heating up. Marner’s contract expires on July 1; however, there have been rumors about under-the-table talks crossing into the league’s tampering boundaries. Although not a single formal accusation has been made, the Maple Leafs are said to be concerned with possible premature contact made in Vegas by the Golden Knights. This situation has drawn attention from all around the league, with front offices preparing themselves for what could be a turbulent beginning to free agency.
Mitch Marner’s contract expiry and Vegas Golden Knights ’ interest raise red flags for Toronto Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner, drafted fourth overall in 2015, has been one of the mainstays of the Toronto Maple Leafs, thus making him a fan favorite and a major offensive force. In nine seasons, he has registered 741 points in 657 games, with last season marking a personal best of 102 points in 81 games. Being especially effective on both ends of the ice also gave him a seventh-place finish in Selke Trophy voting. However, now his six-year contract worth $65.4 million has expired, and the Leafs are faced with the great prospect of losing him for nothing.What has made Toronto’s worries gnaw away at them more is the Vegas Golden Knights’ ever-growing reputation of showing strong interest in landing Marner. Should he sign with the Golden Knights as free agency opens, and should the Leafs believe that such communication occurred preemptively, tampering charges may even be laid out in an official capacity. Said NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Toronto might act if they suspect Vegas of breaking league rules that prohibit talking prematurely with pending free agents.Although such allegations demand a great deal of evidence, the timing and intensity of rumors have certainly been suspicious. The NHL does not take tampering lightly; insiders suggest that it may very well try to make an example of a team this summer. Punishments could range from financial penalties to loss of draft picks if the guilt is established.Brad Treliving, the general manager, has been vaguely acknowledging the complexity of the Marner situation. Whether the Leafs opt for a sign-and-trade or risk losing him outright to free agency, the next few days will be crucial in determining the outcome of the team’s off-season.Also Read: Sam Bennett describes his fiancée’s thoughts about his $64 million Florida Panthers dealIf Mitch Marner does land in Vegas, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ possible pursuit through legal channels could revolutionize how NHL teams view free agency. All eyes are now on July 1, when the speculation may go into overdrive.
