Mitch Marner is now a member of the Vegas Golden Knights, who acquired him last month from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a blockbuster trade that landed Toronto forward Nicolas Roy in return.
Just before the trade, Marner signed an eight-year, $96 million contract extension, which was then immediately dealt to Vegas, the place Marner decided was best not only to continue his NHL career but also for his family, which now includes a newborn son, to live.
However, there were concerns about potential tampering on the part of the Golden Knights, especially after rumors swirled that Marner had been speaking with future Vegas teammates Mark Stone and Adin Hill about playing and working in Sin City.
Mitch Marner’s Agent Darren Ferris Responds to Allegations of Tampering
Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris of Quartexx Management, recently appeared on the “100% Hockey with Millard & Shannon” podcast, where he was asked directly if he knew during the most recent season that his client wasn’t going to return to the Maple Leafs.
“I think once that conversation about the possible trade with Carolina, he didn’t want to leave,” Ferris said. “His wife was pregnant. Had that not been the case, maybe he would have done something. But I think at that point, he was set on still having consideration for Toronto. But he just wanted to go through the right process and help Toronto win while he was there.”
As for reports that Marner discussed a potential move to Vegas with Stone and Hill, Ferris said such conversations are common among players.
“Players always talk about how teams treat you, and they talk amongst themselves,” he said.
Ferris also disclosed that during his time in Toronto, Marner and his family experienced repeated instances of abuse and harassment that required police intervention more than once.
“At the end of every season, instead of being able to breathe and reset, he and his family were bracing for the storm,” Ferris explained. “The negativity, the blame, the hate, it was just directed at him and spilled over to other people closest to him. That creates a dangerous environment. There were even times when the police had to be involved.”
“At the end of the day, he’s more than a hockey player. He’s a son, a brother, and now a new father to a young boy. Protecting that side of him has always been just as important as negotiating contracts.”
Marner and the Golden Knights are among the favorites in the NHL to win the Stanley Cup next spring.