Marner ready for 'peaceful' Vegas chapter after 'bittersweet' Leafs exit
Family was a key aspect of Mitch Marner's decision to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs and sign with the Vegas Golden Knights.
"It's going to be a new life," Marner said Thursday at Hockey Canada's Olympic orientation camp, according to NHL.com's Derek Van Diest. "I'm really excited for it. Having the newborn now, my wife and I are very social. We like going out for dinners. We like being out with our friends. We like being around our teammates. It was tough to do that in Toronto.
"We're looking for a new chapter, a new peaceful way of life sort of way, and we're going to enjoy watching our son grow up outside more, too. We'll have to bring him back (to Toronto) a couple of times in the winter just so he can see the snow, but we're looking forward to the relaxed side of things for sure."
Marner inked an eight-year, $96-million contract with the Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade hours before he was set to become an unrestricted free agent, a decision which he called "bittersweet," according to Van Diest.
The 28-year-old eclipsed 100 points for the first time in his career last year. Marner departs his hometown Maple Leafs ranking fifth in franchise scoring with 741 points in 657 games, but his time in Toronto was tumultuous.
The Maple Leafs won only two playoff series in Marner's nine seasons and failed to advance past the second round. Marner struggled to match his regular-season production in the playoffs, managing 13 goals and 63 points in 70 total postseason contests.
The team's playoff struggles, compounded with Marner's individual woes, led to vitriol in the final years of his tenure in Toronto.
Marner required full-time security at his house for two weeks after the Maple Leafs' second-round exit versus the Florida Panthers in May, when his address was posted online, he told TSN's Mark Masters.
"We kinda dealt with it for the last two years, in a way," Marner detailed to Masters. "The market's very passionate. They love their team. I know it, I was born and raised there. I've been a part of Leafs nation for a long time. But, when your family safety comes into question, especially having a new son, I don't think it's acceptable."
Marner will make his Golden Knights debut Oct. 8 against the Los Angeles Kings. He returns to Toronto on Jan. 23.