Three-team monster trade involving Mitch Marner failed at March deadline!

It’s one of the worst-kept secrets in the NHL: the Vegas Golden Knights are gearing up for a serious run at Mitch Marner this offseason. James Mirtle of The Athletic has reported that Vegas has been after Marner since last summer and could look to sign him to a long-term contract once free agency opens on July 1st.

Mirtle goes a step further, revealing how Vegas already tried to acquire Marner ahead of this year’s trade deadline in March.

Reportedly, the Golden Knights, Leafs, and Carolina Hurricanes were in talks for a blockbuster three-team deal that would have sent Marner to Vegas and Mikko Rantanen to Toronto. However, the deal fell through when Vegas and Carolina couldn’t agree on the final pieces of the puzzle—specifically what would go back to the Hurricanes.

After that, the Leafs and Hurricanes explored a direct swap. Insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Toronto asked Marner to waive his no-movement clause, which he declined to do, effectively killing any potential deal.

In the aftermath, Carolina pivoted and traded Rantanen to the Dallas Stars. In return, they acquired forward Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks, and a pair of third-round selections—a hefty haul by any measure.

“It’s unclear just how far those talks went, or if Marner was asked to waive his no-movement clause to go to Vegas, but it sounds like what killed the deal was Vegas and Carolina failing to find the right assets to include to get it done — not anything on the Toronto side,” wrote Mirtle.

Obviously, Mirtle points out how the Golden Knights lack the cap space to pursue Marner could be a huge obstacle moving forward with the endeavour as Vegas is projected to have around $9.5 million in cap space, according to CapWages. That number could increase significantly if the Golden Knights place defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (cap hit: $8.8M) on long-term injured reserve, as there are growing concerns about his health. The insider goes on to suggest that Vegas could look into trading out William Karlsson who carries a $5.9 million cap hit, and therefore provide additional space to help make room for a potential Marner deal.

However, Karlsson does hold a 10-team no-trade list, which could be an added roadblock to land Marner, who is more likely looking for an AAV of $14 million.

Vegas also has to deal with the Hurricanes, who are also in the mix for Marner. He might have rejected a move to Carolina at the trade deadline, it doesn’t mean he won’t sign with the Hurricanes as a free agent. Plus, they have way more money available than Vegas to make it happen.

The Golden Knights have never been shy about swinging big and we all know how much of the free agency focus will land on Marner and where he signs.