Las Vegas Golden Knights Free Up Millions in Cap Space to Sign Mitch Marner

At this point, everyone knows the Las Vegas Golden Knights have made themselves the favorites to sign Mitch Marner to a contract.

In fact, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Golden Knights are reportedly working on a sign-and-trade that would at least allow the Leafs to get some assets.

However, one of the biggest issues for the Golden Knights has always been cap space. They are very close against the cap, and there was no guarantee that they would have the extra change to make Marner a reality.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Golden Knights have caught a huge break thanks to defenseman Alex Pietrangelo.

He is dealing with multiple injuries and needs multiple surgeries. Simply put, it is expected that he will miss the entire 2025-26 season.

If this is the case, the Golden Knights can put Pietrangelo on the LTIR and save his cap hit. This is the last year this will be possible, as the new CBA prohibits such moves.

Pietrangelo makes $8.8 million per season, so that is equates to about three-quarters of what Marner's yearly salary would be with the Golden Knights.

Of course, the Golden Knights have to actually close on a deal, and there is no guarantee they will be able to do such a thing.

But with July 1st around the corner, it is clear that everyone's focus is going to be on the superstar winger.