The hockey world is buzzing after new reports surfaced revealing details of a blockbuster trade that nearly reshaped three NHL franchises.
We already knew about the Mitch Marner–Mikko Rantanen swap that never came to be, with Marner reportedly using his no-trade clause to reject a move to Carolina. But now, journalist James Mirtle has uncovered an even bigger, more shocking deal that almost happened.
According to Mirtle, a massive three-team trade involving the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, and Vegas Golden Knights was in the works. The framework? Mikko Rantanen would have landed in Toronto, Mitch Marner in Vegas, and Carolina—well, that part remains murky.
While the Hurricanes and Golden Knights couldn’t agree on the right package of assets to finalize the deal, the implications of this trade would have been historic. Rantanen, who was ultimately traded twice this past season before ending up with the Dallas Stars, had an immediate impact—especially in the Stars’ first-round series against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche.
Looking back, it’s hard not to wonder: Would Toronto have fared better in the postseason with Rantanen instead of Marner?
Marner, now heading into free agency, has his pick of destinations—with Vegas reportedly still very much interested. Meanwhile, Carolina eventually sent Rantanen to Dallas in exchange for promising young forward Logan Stankoven and valuable draft picks, signaling that they still managed a solid return even after the three-way deal fell apart.
On paper, this failed trade could’ve gone down as one of the biggest in NHL history.
POLL:
Would Toronto have gone further in the postseason with Rantanen instead of Marner?
▢ Yes
▢ No
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