Maple Leafs, Hurricanes discussed Marner for Rantanen swap
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The Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes discussed a potential deal prior to Friday's trade deadline that involved star forwards Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen, TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston wrote for The Athletic on Saturday.
Both Marner and Rantanen were set to become unrestricted free agents this summer and due for big contracts.
The Maple Leafs made it clear to Marner that their preference is to re-sign the six-foot winger to a long-term extension, but presented the option of moving him to Carolina after the Hurricanes inquired about him as a possible return for Rantanen.
Marner, who holds a full no-movement clause, made his desire known that he would like to stay in Toronto for the remainder of the 2024-25 season and will make a decision about his future this summer, forcing the two teams to move onto other options in their discussions.
"I wasn’t focused on it. You know, I’m sure that I had a feeling that maybe something might happen but I’m here to play hockey with this team, like I said, and I’m focused with this team and that’s what I can tell you." Marner told the media after scoring two goals in Toronto's 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
Marner added that he has loved his time as a member of the Maple Leafs, but didn't want to get into what his future might hold with the franchise.
"I’m not going to get into this contract stuff. I’ve been very grateful and I’ve loved my time being a Leaf. That’s [how] I’ll leave it with you guys," Marner said.
Johnston also reports that Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies and other future assets were discussed between the two clubs before the Hurricanes elected to trade Rantanen to the Dallas Stars.
The Hurricanes received centre Logan Stankoven, two first-round draft picks, and two third-round draft picks in exchange for the star winger on Friday. Rantanen went on to sign an eight-year, $96 million extension with the Stars.
Marner, 27, has been one of the Maple Leafs central offensive forces this season, leading the team with 21 goals and 79 points in 62 games.
The Thornhill, Ont., native sits fifth all-time in scoring in Maple Leaf history with 215 goals and 718 points in 638 games.
He has helped the Maple Leafs to the playoffs every year since his arrival in the NHL during the 2016-17 season, but the team has only one playoff series victory during that time.
Marner is on the final season of a six-year, $65.41 million contract that carries an annual cap hit of $10.9 million.
The Maple Leafs sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 38-22-3 record and are four points behind the Florida Panthers for top spot with 19 games remaining in the regular season.