Mitch Marner Vetoed Blockbuster Mikko Rantanen-Toronto Maple Leafs Trade
The Carolina Hurricanes had plenty of trade offers for star forward Mikko Rantanen ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline, and ultimately the 28-year-old sniper was dealt to the Dallas Stars in exchange for center prospect Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks and two third-round picks. The deal was held up for a bit while the Stars and Rantanen negotiated a new contract, and the five-time 30-goal scorer ended up signing a lucrative eight-year, $96 million deal. And while the Hurricanes got a lot back in return for the two-time All-Star, they tried to land arguably an even bigger fish while fielding trade offers from other teams. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported that the Toronto Maples Leafs offered the Hurricanes top prospect Easton Cowan, No. 2 prospect Fraser Minten and two first-rounders for Rantanen, and Carolina countered with a proposal that included superstar scorer Mitch Marner, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
“The Hurricanes initially asked for Mitch Marner in return for Rantanen,” Friedman wrote. “Because it was for Rantanen, the Maple Leafs had to consider it. They told the winger their desire is to sign him, but they had to ask in this case. As is his right, Marner declined to move, re-iterating his desire to stay.”
The 27-year-old Marner, who has a full no-trade clause that he would have to waive if the Maple Leafs were to deal him, is in the final season of his six-year, $65.4 million contract and is expected to be one of the more sought-after
