Mitch Marner was reportedly moments away from signing deal with team before Golden Knights traded for him

Mitch Marner is officially a member of the Vegas Golden Knights, as he was acquired in a blockbuster sign and trade deal from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Nicolas Roy.

Marner was signed to an 8 year contract with Vegas with an AAV (average annual value) of $12 million, a $1.1 million raise from the $10.9 million AAV he was making for the last several years with the Maple Leafs.

While Marner was linked to numerous teams in free agency, including the Chicago Blackhawks, there was one team that reportedly was very close to getting him to sign.

Per a new report from NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman, the Carolina Hurricanes were allegedly the highest bidders to land Marner.

It would not have been the 1st time that the Hurricanes came close to acquiring Marner.

Earlier this year, reports indicated that the Hurricanes were hoping to acquire Marner from the Maple Leafs and would have sent forward Mikko Rantanen to Toronto in return.

Rantanen was acquired in a shocking trade from the Colorado Avalanche in January, but would not commit to signing a long-term extension in Carolina, and they decided to try and trade him for assets rather than lose him in free agency for nothing.

After Marner allegedly refused to waive his no-trade clause, the Hurricanes instead traded Rantanen to the Dallas Stars and received Logan Stankoven and draft picks in return.

The Hurricanes did pick up solid pieces, acquiring K'Andre Miller and Nikolaj Ehlers so far in the summer.