NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs & Golden Knights Almost Made Trade Involving William Karlsson

Monday, June 09, 2025 ,
Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson skates during 2025 game.

Mitch Marner’s name has been at the center of the NHL rumor mill for weeks, and with good reason—he’s a 102-point winger set to hit free agency on July 1. 

But new reports suggest that the Vegas Golden Knights tried to land Marner long before now—and that original “Misfit” William Karlsson may have been the reason it didn’t happen.

William Karlsson Nixed Marner-to-Vegas Trade Talks Last Summer

According to insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Vegas Golden Knights and Toronto Maple Leafs engaged in serious trade discussions last summer involving Marner. Vegas reportedly balked at including defenseman Shea Theodore, but that wasn’t the only snag. 

Karlsson, who holds a modified no-trade clause, was also part of the proposed deal and is believed to have blocked the move. The 32-year-old center has two years left on his $5.9 million AAV deal and reportedly listed Toronto among his no-trade destinations.

Karlsson, who helped launch the Golden Knights franchise and once held their single-season points record, remains one of the last ties to the team’s expansion roots. 

Vegas ultimately kept him, while Toronto held onto Marner—at least for one more season. 

Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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