Golden Knights GM gives transparent update on Mitch Marner’s progress (Getty Images) Mitch Marner has stepped into a new chapter, and the early returns suggest the desert lights suit him just fine. Vegas continues to surge near the NHL summit, and even a tight loss to Philadelphia has not slowed a team that keeps stacking wins. Inside that momentum sits Marner, adjusting to a new city, a new system, and a very different kind of spotlight.For years, Marner carried the weight of expectations in Toronto. Now, the noise feels distant. Vegas offers a sharper focus on hockey and results, and that shift is beginning to show on the ice. His production has stayed strong, but more importantly, his confidence appears to be growing with each passing week.
Mitch Marner’s Vegas Golden Knights adjustment draws honest praise
The move west closed a nine-season run with the Maple Leafs, a tenure shaped by elite skill and repeated playoff heartbreak. Media pressure and personal strain followed him closely, making the sign and trade to Vegas in July 2025 feel less like a gamble and more like a reset. Through 48 games, Marner has posted 51 points, numbers that reflect both consistency and patience.Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon has not rushed the narrative. Speaking on FanDuel OverDrive, he offered a grounded take on Marner’s progress. “It’s going good, and it is progressively getting better as he gets more comfortable.” The emphasis was not on instant dominance, but on steady growth.McCrimmon pointed to past examples of long tenured players needing time after major moves. “In Mitch’s case, switching conferences, that part’s different, but he’s uh progressively got more and more comfortable.” The comfort level, according to the GM, has translated into Marner’s best stretch of hockey over the last month.Injuries forced an unexpected twist. “I think he’s played his best hockey in the last month. Interestingly, he’s ended up playing center, wasn’t in the plan at all, but we’ve just had enough injuries.” With key forwards sidelined, Marner shifted inside and thrived. “He‘s uber talented. The hockey sense is through the roof. The two-way play, I think, is something that we’ve really appreciated.”That evolution showed during a recent overtime win against Toronto, where Marner logged two assists amid loud boos from traveling fans. The reaction was a reminder of what he left behind. Friday’s return to Toronto promises even more emotion, but Marner arrives as a different player, calmer, versatile, and fully embraced by a contender that believes his best hockey is still ahead.