Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas isn’t buying into what he calls the “easy narrative” about Mitch Marner’s $96 million move to the Vegas Golden Knights. Speaking on “The Cam & Strick Podcast,” Dubas addressed the former Maple Leafs star’s exit, making it clear there’s more to the story than simply a player needing a new environment.
Kyle Dubas Weighs In on Mitch Marner’s Next Chapter in Vegas
“I think that’s the easy narrative, perhaps,” Dubas said. “Awesome person, wonderful player. I hope it works out well for everybody… and I even hope that Mitch plays well in Vegas. But I’m cheering for him and the rest of the guys to find their way through.”
Dubas, who ran Toronto’s front office before joining the Penguins, reflected on his time managing Marner and the challenges of keeping a roster competitive. His comments came only weeks after Marner was dealt to Vegas in a sign-and-trade and signed an eight-year contract worth $96 million.
The trade ended Marner’s nine-year run in Toronto, a tenure filled with regular-season success but playoff struggles. Despite putting up 102 points last season, the Leafs’ “Core Four” again failed to turn that production into a deep Stanley Cup push.
Mitch Marner Eyes Postseason Redemption
For Marner, moving on wasn’t part of the original plan. Growing up in Markham, Ontario, he dreamed of playing his whole career in blue and white. But after repeated postseason disappointment and months of trade rumors, a fresh start became the likely outcome.
When Vegas showed interest, the fit was evident to him. “They’ve got such a competitive team every year. They’ve got some good players here,” Marner said at his introduction. “And the winning aspect of this team helped as well, the great players they have.”
Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon later revealed Marner was at the top of their offseason wish list, even if the team had repeated as champions. Vegas moved quickly, sending Nicolas Roy to Toronto for Marner’s rights before free agency began.
Coach Bruce Cassidy already plans to slot Marner alongside Jack Eichel. He sees parallels between their situations. Eichel left Buffalo under scrutiny only to win a Stanley Cup in Vegas. Cassidy believes Marner could follow a similar path, proving doubters wrong when the playoffs roll around.
Now in Las Vegas, Marner steps into a locker room with proven winners. With elite teammates around him and a fan base that has already celebrated a championship, he has a prime opportunity to reshape his reputation.