How might the Stanley Cup Playoffs have been different if Mitch Marner was a Vegas Golden Knights and Mikko Rantanen played for Toronto Maple Leafs? That scenario was almost a reality, thanks to a blockbuster trade that never came to fruition.

But it nearly was a much different setup. The Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly almost traded Marner in a massive three-team bonanza during the season. The fallen-through trade, reported by The Athletic's James Mirtle, involved the Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes and Las Vegas Golden Knights.