The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, delivering a cruel twist of fate for Mitch Marner. The Hurricanes, a team Marner could have joined via a blockbuster trade last season, now hoist the Cup. Marner, who declined to waive his no-movement clause during Toronto’s trade talks, now watches from the other side.
At the 2025 trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs came close to acquiring Mikko Rantanen by trading Marner to the Hurricanes. The deal never materialized, with Marner choosing to stay in Toronto before eventually signing with Vegas. Instead, Carolina traded Rantanen to the Dallas Stars for Logan Stankoven and draft picks. The Hurricanes used those assets to retool their roster, culminating in a Stanley Cup championship.
Marner signed an eight-year, $96 million contract with the Golden Knights in July 2025. He finished the playoffs with 28 points in 24 games, earning Conn Smythe Trophy consideration. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, reached the Final with a 16-9 record in the postseason, including a 4-2 series win over Marner’s Knights.
The Hurricanes’ roster reshaped after Rantanen’s exit, which had been a sticking point. Carolina acquired Taylor Hall from Chicago in a three-team trade that also involved the Avalanche. Hall contributed 12 points in 20 playoff games, including two overtime winners.
The Hurricanes gave up Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-rounder to acquire Stankoven and a haul of draft picks. They also retained $4.7 million of Rantanen’s salary in the original trade. The move proved critical in balancing the cap and adding depth.
Marner’s decision to reject the Hurricanes in favor of Vegas was personal. He cited family reasons, including his wife’s pregnancy. Toronto, meanwhile, pursued a three-team deal that never reached agreement. Reports suggest Toronto offered top prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten to Carolina, but the Hurricanes declined.
The Hurricanes now look ahead to the 2026 trade deadline with a championship roster intact. The Golden Knights, meanwhile, face a pivotal summer in building around Marner. The Maple Leafs will assess their options after a quiet playoff exit, while Vegas will look to solidify its core.
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