The mood around Mitch Marner in Las Vegas is noticeably lighter than it was in Toronto, with far fewer media demands as he prepares for his first game with the Golden Knights. His debut comes Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena against the Los Angeles Kings at 10 p.m. ET.
Marner spent his first nine NHL seasons with the Maple Leafs before arriving in Vegas via a sign-and-trade on July 1. He begins an eight-year, $96 million contract with a $12 million average annual value.
Marner’s Impact on the Golden Knights
Vegas remains firmly focused on chasing another Stanley Cup, and Marner is expected to line up with Jack Eichel. Both players finished last season among the top 10 in scoring and top six in assists, a pairing that gives the Golden Knights a high-ceiling look on paper.
The excitement around Marner’s addition is palpable, as fans and analysts alike speculate on how he will enhance the team’s offensive capabilities. With Marner’s exceptional playmaking skills and Eichel’s scoring ability, the Golden Knights are poised to become a formidable force in the league.
In Washington, attention turns to whether this season could be Alex Ovechkin’s last. The 40-year-old enters the final year of his contract and starts his 21st NHL season when the Capitals host the Boston Bruins on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Ovechkin is three goals from 900, nine games from 1,500, and 18 points shy of moving into the top 10 on the all-time points list while still pursuing another championship.
The narratives surrounding both Marner and Ovechkin highlight the changing dynamics in the NHL as veteran players seek to cement their legacies, while newcomers aim to make their mark. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these two stars to see how they impact their respective teams and the league as a whole.