Does Mitch Marner Have a No Trade Clause

Yes, Mitch Marner has a no-trade clause, and it just shaped one of the biggest NHL moves of 2025. the Toronto Maple Leafs star used his contract protection to block a trade to Carolina, then signed with the Vegas Golden Knights. understanding what a no-trade clause means helps fans follow the real power behind modern hockey deals (honestly, it's pretty interesting stuff).

What a no-trade clause actually does

A no-trade clause gives players the right to block trades. Teams cannot move them without their approval. The NHL also has no-movement clauses, which are similar but stricter they block trades and waivers. Marner signed his $65 million contract with Toronto in 2019 that included this protection. For eight years, he controlled whether he stayed or left. It's basically the player getting veto power over their own future.

The Carolina trade that never happened

In early 2025, the Maple Leafs tried to pull off a blockbuster trade. They wanted to send Marner to Carolina for Mikko Rantanen. The Hurricanes were ready. But Marner said no. He refused to waive his no-trade clause and killed the entire deal. Toronto's front office felt frustrated they needed roster changes, but one player's decision stopped everything cold.

Vegas gets their guy

Instead of forcing a trade, Toronto made a different move. In March 2025, Marner signed an eight-year, $96 million deal with the Vegas Golden Knights through a sign-and-trade. His new contract gives him $12 million per year. After nine seasons in Toronto, he got exactly what he wanted: control over his destination and long-term security (pretty smart negotiating, if you ask me).

Players use no-trade clauses to protect themselves. Marner could have ended up anywhere, but instead he chose Vegas on his own terms. This clause gave him power that teams rarely have. The broader NHL trend shows star players leveraging these protections to shape their careers and land better contracts.

For hockey fans, remembering which players have no-trade clauses matters. These clauses change how trades work. Teams can't just swap star players whenever they want. Players get a say in their future. Marner's case proves that even the best-laid plans fall apart when a player says no.