Marner, his wife Stephanie, and 5-month-old son Miles are getting acclimatized to their new digs in the western suburbs of Las Vegas, not far from the team’s practice facility in Summerlin. Although he said he’s received a warm welcome from teammates and their families already, fans have not stopped him yet, a far different vibe from his time in Toronto.

That will likely change once the season begins and the Golden Knights’ rabid fan base gets the chance to see No. 93 play in person.

“I find that when you’re sitting down anywhere in Toronto or Muskoka you always notice people from far away with the phones and the cameras, and even a couple of them stopping you and asking,” he said. “It’s just been different here. People know their hockey here but it’s not all the time. I’ve got nothing bad to say about the way it was, but it’s definitely a new perspective.

“The time change is a little bit new to us at the start of things, but now everyone’s changed into it. It’s been great. It’s been a lot of fun, waking up early mornings with the [baby’s] smiles, and then going downstairs, sitting on the patio furniture and looking at the mountains, just relaxing.

“The team has been great, and so have the players and all the wives, making us feel at home and helping out Steph, too.”

In the meantime, questions related to his reasons for leaving Toronto and when he first had an inkling to do so are answered with the theme of, “just focusing on starting a new chapter.”

Even so, how would he like his time with the Maple Leafs to be remembered? He was selected by the Maple Leafs with the No. 4 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and put up 741 points (221 goals, 520 assists) in 657 games over his nine seasons there.

“Just a guy that tried, I guess, to help his hometown team accomplish great things,” he said. “I tried to wear that jersey with pride and honor every single time I could. Tried to give it everything I had. Unfortunately, we came up short.

“Now I’m here, and like I keep saying, it’s a new chapter. And I’m excited. I’m excited to have my son at my first game and wearing a jersey and kind of enjoying the moments with him.”

The Golden Knights open the 2025-26 regular season against the Los Angeles Kings at home at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 8.

“Can’t wait,” he said.