Mitch Marner’s first year in Vegas ended two victories short of the Stanley Cup, and that loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2026 Final has followed him into a new season. The Golden Knights open Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks at T-Mobile Arena, with puck drop set for 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and TVAS2.
A Cup Final loss becomes the fuel
Vegas fell to Carolina in six games in the Final, leaving Marner and the Golden Knights with the familiar sting of coming close without finishing the job. For the 29-year-old, the response is not to dwell on it but to use the experience as motivation.
Marner said the defeat has given him added drive to return to that stage and find the two wins Vegas could not get last spring. He stressed that the club must stay focused on the daily work required to put itself back in contention.
- Marner joined Vegas through a July 1, 2025 sign-and-trade after nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- His eight-year deal carries a total value of $96 million, or $12 million annually.
- He arrived seeking a change before unrestricted free agency, but still had to adjust to a new city, dressing room and role.
- The Golden Knights begin their season at home against Chicago on Tuesday.
Year one brought shifting roles and a postseason surge
Marner’s regular season did not follow a straight line. Injuries forced Vegas to use him at both wing and center, often with changing linemates. He also experienced a late coaching switch, with John Tortorella taking over for Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining on the schedule.
Even through that movement, Marner produced 24 goals and 56 assists for 80 points in 81 games. It was a strong total by most standards, though down from the 102 points he recorded in 81 games for Toronto the previous season, when he posted 27 goals and 75 assists.
The playoffs brought more lineup changes early, before Marner found traction alongside forward Brett Pesce. When William Karlsson returned from a lower-body injury, he moved into the middle of that unit. The line clicked at both ends of the ice, and Marner finished as the NHL’s postseason scoring leader with 10 goals and 19 assists in 22 games.
Marner described the opening stretch of last season as uneven, with good nights mixed in with rough ones while he tried to settle into different assignments. He said his connection with Pesce grew over time, and the addition of Karlsson gave the line a dependable three-zone identity. Their defensive commitment, he said, helped create the offense.
Vegas expects more continuity around Karlsson and Howden
General manager Kelly McCrimmon viewed Marner’s impact as larger than his regular-season scoring line. McCrimmon pointed to Marner’s vision, understanding of the game and ability to elevate teammates, while calling his playoff performance exceptional.
McCrimmon also believes a full year in Las Vegas should make the transition easier for Marner. He now knows the organization and the city, and his strong run through the playoffs should give him added confidence entering his second campaign with the club.
There is another new voice behind the bench, with Ryan Craig replacing Tortorella. Marner said he feels fully comfortable in Vegas now and spent considerable time with Craig before training camp. He expects a steadier role, at least to start.
Craig plans to open with Brett Howden, Karlsson and Marner together, preserving the chemistry they developed during the postseason.
- Craig sees three forwards capable of playing low in the offensive zone and handling faceoff duties when needed.
- He highlighted their support away from the puck and their ability to rotate through the middle lane.
- In Craig’s view, the line succeeded because it was willing to check, then quickly turn stops into dangerous transition chances.
- Vegas will still use Marner in different spots if injuries force adjustments.
Marner remains ready to move where Vegas needs him
Craig said Marner’s adaptability is one of the traits that makes him such an effective player. Whether he is deployed at center or on the wing, and regardless of the personnel around him, the coach believes Marner has shown he can handle the responsibility and help the Golden Knights win.
For Marner, the target remains simple: get back to the Final and finish the job. But he knows that path is built through the regular-season grind, one day and one week at a time, with Vegas concentrating on winning games and becoming the best version of itself.
