RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Several pivotal days in early March 2025 altered the trajectory of the NHL season, with Mitch Marner standing at the center of those changes.
As Marner approached the final months of his Toronto contract, indicators suggested he wouldn’t extend his stay. Meanwhile, Carolina had obtained soon-to-be free agent Mikko Rantanen from Colorado through a three-team deal in late January, though it became apparent after weeks that this arrangement wouldn’t become permanent.
Toronto and Carolina explored the potential for swapping Marner and Rantanen. However, Marner controlled his fate through a complete no-movement clause, ultimately choosing to remain in Toronto for another playoff attempt before selecting Vegas through a sign-and-trade arrangement in late June rather than entering free agency.
This choice by Marner created a chain reaction that brought Vegas and Carolina to their current position, facing each other in the Stanley Cup Final that begins Tuesday evening. Carolina responded by trading Rantanen to Dallas for Logan Stankoven — who became one of their top performers in this playoff run — plus a draft pick they later used to acquire K’Andre Miller last summer, while preserving cap space to sign premier free agent Nikolaj Ehlers.
Vegas secured Marner, who now tops all playoff scorers and demonstrates why Carolina had shown interest. When asked about the team’s attraction to Marner, general manager Eric Tulsky refused to comment since Marner plays for a different organization.
“I can answer that one,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “What don’t you like about him?”
During last spring’s speculation about a potential Marner-Rantanen exchange, personal factors extended beyond hockey considerations. Marner’s wife, Stephanie, was expecting their first child, and Marner calls the Toronto region home.
Toronto advanced to the second round before surrendering a 2-0 series advantage to defending and eventual repeat champion Florida. Carolina was swept by the Panthers in the Eastern Conference final, still lacking a crucial element.
Throughout this season, Marner maintained a point-per-game pace. He’s recorded seven goals and 14 assists for a playoff-leading 21 points.
“Mitch is playing with tremendous confidence,” GM Kelly McCrimmon said. “I think he’s really savoring the moment.”
Marner praised the coaching staff for positioning him for success and his teammates for converting scoring opportunities. Sporting a Vegas hoodie during Cup final media day, he maintains he’s not considering alternative scenarios like playing for Carolina.
“No, I’m not a guy that lives in the past,” Marner said. “I’m in the present. I’m here in the moment.”
Tulsky referenced Rantanen when discussing risk-taking, stating “Sometimes it doesn’t go the way you hoped, and you’ve got to be ready to figure out how you’re going to move forward from there.” While trading Martin Necas to Colorado for Rantanen didn’t succeed, acquiring veteran winger Taylor Hall from Chicago in the same transaction certainly has.
Pursuing Marner falls into the same category, but their backup plan succeeded remarkably. Stankoven has made a significant impact for Carolina as the second-line center alongside Hall and Jackson Blake, proving why he was the primary asset received from Dallas for Rantanen.
If Marner had chosen Carolina, Stankoven might still be playing for Dallas. Instead, he had to process the unusual experience of being traded.
“I didn’t see it coming,” Stankoven said. “Everything kind of happens for a reason. Obviously, Dallas got their player, and I just want to become the best version of myself here in Carolina. Just how welcoming everyone has been here, the fans, my teammates, I absolutely love the city and couldn’t be happier that I was able to sign long term here.”
On the same day Stankoven signed an eight-year, $48 million deal, Tulsky utilized one of the first-round selections from the Rantanen trade to obtain Miller from the New York Rangers and secure him long-term. By week’s end, Ehlers selected Carolina from multiple attractive options.
Miller has flourished with his new environment, and Ehlers, alongside Stankoven, has provided Carolina with the offensive production they missed during previous playoff campaigns that concluded before the final.
“(Ehlers) adds things to it that aren’t what we would ask a lot of players to do,” Tulsky said. “Having that kind of ability on the team — someone who could just create scoring chances out of thin air — it always makes you more dangerous.”
