Marner carries Cup Final 'fire' into second season with Golden Knights
After a bumpy regular season and a playoff run that led the NHL in scoring, Mitch Marner says he is comfortable in Vegas and hungry to get back to the Final.
Two wins. That is how far Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights were from the Stanley Cup last spring before the Carolina Hurricanes beat them in six games in the 2026 Final.
Marner, 29, says he has kept that with him.
"You kind of just take that as fire in a way," Marner said. "You want to try to get back to that position and win two more hockey games. You take that home with you, and you try to work to get back in that position."
The Golden Knights host the Chicago Blackhawks at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, TVAS2) to open his second season in Vegas.
His first was a lot of change. Marner arrived in a sign-and-trade on July 1, 2025, with an eight-year, $96 million contract ($12 million average annual value), after nine seasons with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. He moved between wing and centre as injuries piled up, cycled through linemates and saw John Tortorella replace Bruce Cassidy behind the bench with eight games left.
He still finished with 80 points (24 goals, 56 assists) in 81 games, down from his career-high 102 points with Toronto the season before.
"The start of the season, it wasn't going too great," Marner said. "I think it was a little bit up-and-down, roller-coaster ride, good games, bad games, just kind of all over the map."
The playoffs were different. Marner found chemistry with Brett Howden, and William Karlsson returned from a lower-body injury to centre the pair. Marner led all playoff scorers with 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 22 games.
"His playoff, he was unbelievable, right? He was that good," general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. "Now I think the transition will be complete."
There is another new coach, with Ryan Craig replacing Tortorella. Marner said he spent a lot of time with Craig before training camp, feels "definitely comfortable" and expects a more stable role.
Craig plans to open with Howden, Karlsson and Marner together, though he said Marner will move around the lineup if injuries demand it.
"That line thrived because they could check and committed to check, and they could transition and make it dangerous," Craig said.
