Marner’s Trade Veto Comes Full Circle as Hurricanes Get Last Laugh with Stanley Cup

Perhaps no player is feeling the sting of losing the Stanley Cup more than Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner.

While Marner was eager to turn the page on his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, there’s an alternate reality where he could be celebrating a Stanley Cup win instead of wondering what if. At the 2025 trade deadline, Marner had the opportunity to join the Carolina Hurricanes as part of a blockbuster deal—but chose not to waive his no-movement clause.

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Instead, he remained in Toronto, eventually landing in Vegas. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes pivoted.

Using the assets from the deal they ultimately made, Carolina built a roster strong enough to knock off the very Golden Knights team Marner later signed with. In a twist that’s hard to ignore, the path Marner declined ended up being the one that led to a championship.

Marner likely still silenced many of his critics with his playoff performance. That said, he’s got to be wondering how different things could have been.

How Marner Wound Up In Vegas and Not Carolina

According to reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs came close to pulling off a blockbuster deal that would have sent Marner to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Mikko Rantanen. At the time, Carolina was in a difficult position. After acquiring Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche, they quickly realized he wasn’t interested in a long-term extension. With the March 7 trade deadline looming, the Hurricanes were forced to explore their options.

Then-general manager in Toronto, Brad Treliving, approached Marner about waiving his no-movement clause to facilitate a deal that would bring Rantanen to the Maple Leafs—potentially with an extension already lined up. There was a feeling that Marner wasn’t happy anyway, so it was a potential win-win for both sides.

But it never materialized.

Why exactly isn’t clear. Some believed it was a simple, ‘No thanks’, when Marner was asked to waive for the Hurricanes. There were other narratives that a three-team deal that would have sent Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, Rantanen to Toronto, and futures to Carolina couldn’t get over the finish line. Another trade rumor suggested Toronto had offered top prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten to the Hurricanes, who declined. Not that it would have mattered.

Ultimately, the final decision rested with Marner—and he said no.

Marner later explained that family considerations played a major role. With his wife pregnant at the time, the idea of relocating midseason, even temporarily, wasn’t feasible. He wasn’t likely to sign an extension with Carolina, and reports indicated he was eager to go to Vegas. It wasn’t in his plans to make a side stop.

The Hurricanes pivoted. In the final moments before the deadline, they traded Rantanen to the Dallas Stars, receiving Logan Stankoven and a package of draft picks.

That pivot proved to be the right move.

Carolina Won With A Three-Team Trade

What was so interesting about the move is that in the trade prior, one that saw Rantanen come to Carolina, the Hurricanes also acquired Taylor Hall. Chicago moved Hall as part of their role in the Hurricanes and Avalanche trade. They picked up a draft pick and retained part of Rantanen’s salary.

By the time all was said and done, the Hurricanes had moved out forwards Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick. They’d gotten back Logan Stankoven, two conditional first-round picks (2026, 2028), a 2026 third-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick.

Fast forward 15 months and the Hurricanes wound up defeating Marner and the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final. Marner got his fresh start in Vegas, signing an eight-year, $96 million deal. He also got a long run, making a case to be awared the Conn Smythe Trophy, whether Vegas won or lost.

What once looked like a missed opportunity for Carolina turned into a masterclass in making the most of an unfortunate situation.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canes, Oilers & a Cup Tilting Waiver Claim