LAS VEGAS -- While "Marner Magic" is headed to the ice in Vegas, his song selection on karaoke nights could come into question during those team bonding trips to Montana.
When Vegas entered the conversation as a destination for the next phase of Mitch Marner's career, the 28-year-old began vetting the organization.
Who better to ask than former Golden Knights he was now playing with in Toronto?
"From talking to (Max) Pacioretty and Reavo (Ryan Reaves just over the last couple of weeks, it seemed like everything was a pretty good fit for my wife, our new son, and me," Marner said during his introductory press conference.
Pacioretty, who arrived in Toronto last season, was also in Vegas for four seasons, arriving in the team's second year before being traded to Carolina after the 2021-22 season.
Reaves, who has been with the Maple Leafs the past two seasons, spent four years (2017-21) of his 15-year career in Vegas, including the second half of the franchise's inaugural campaign when the team went to the Stanley Cup Final.
"Mitchy is someone who cares lot about winning," Reaves told The Hockey News. "He’s very passionate. One of the most skilled players out there."
Which is why the Knights ponied up an eight-year $96 million contract.
Marner, who will return to uniform No. 93, leaves the Maple Leafs as their fifth-highest scorer in franchise history, with 741 regular-season points on 221 goals (14th) and 520 assists (fourth).
Marner's 521 assists since his rookie season (2016-17) ranks fifth in the NHL, while he ranks eighth with 741 points.
Vegas now has arguably two of the top 10 forwards in the NHL, with Marner joining Jack Eichel, both with similar styles in puck handling, vision on the ice and an overall offensive prowess.
"He has the ability to hold on to pucks and draw two or three defenders to him, and then has the vision to find the open guy," Reaves added.
Never short of jokes and one-liners, Reaves also discussed his former younger teammate off the ice.
"He’s one of the guys always leading the charge, life of the party," Reaves said. "Not bad at karaoke, although the song choices are suspect."