NHL Rumors: Hurricanes Eyed Mitch Marner in Rantanen Trade Talks with Maple Leafs

Before losing Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline, the Carolina Hurricanes reportedly looked at adding Mitch Marner.

The Hurricanes "initially asked for" Marner when discussing a potential Rantanen trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The Athletic's Chris Johnston similarly reported that trade talks between the Leafs and Hurricanes began with the Canes asking after Marner.

Marner, who has a full-no trade clause on his expiring six-year deal with the Leafs, reportedly shut down those talks. As Johnston wrote:

"The Leafs approached Marner before the deadline and told him that their first choice was for him to sign an extension in Toronto but that a trade to Carolina was possible if he didn’t want to do that. Marner said he wanted to remain with the Leafs."

Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported Friday the Leafs ultimately offered Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten and two first-rounders to the Canes.

The Hurricanes instead turned to the Dallas Stars, who sent over a package including Logan Stankoven, two top-10 protected first-rounders and two third-round picks in order to acquire and extend Rantanen. Rantanen agreed to an eight-year, $96 million extension in Dallas following the trade.

The Hurricanes moved on from Rantanen shortly after acquiring him from the Avalanche because the team "felt they would not be able to sign him to a long-term deal," per NHL.com.

The Leafs find themselves in a similar situation, given that Marner has yet to commit to remaining in Toronto past the end of the 2024-25 season.

Johnston reported Saturday the Leafs have "expressed interest in getting down to business on a contract extension in recent months, but the Marner camp was unwilling to engage during the season."

NHL insiders including Johnston and TSN's Bob McKenzie have recently said they believe Marner is willing to test free agency this offseason.

Rantanen's $12 million AAV deal set him on track to become the highest-paid winger in the NHL next season.

Although Rantanen has higher career peaks than Marner, including a 55-goal season and a Stanley Cup, he could be seen as a comp in part because of projected salary cap increases that will see the upper limit rise by more than $25 million over the next three seasons.

Whether the Leafs make it past the second round for the first time in the Auston Matthews era, and what offers Marner receives on the open market, could influence whether the winger ultimately decides to re-sign in Toronto.

The Leafs can meanwhile find consolation in reports they are not the only team missing out on Rantanen. According to TSN's Ryan Rishaug, the Edmonton Oilers were "well down the path of an extension being agreed to" but lacked the assets to complete a trade.