Maple Leafs, More Reportedly Discussed Marner, Rantanen 3-Team Trade Before Deadline

The Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly discussed a three-team trade that would have resulted in the team acquiring Mikko Rantanen before the March 7 deadline.

According to James Mirtle of The Athletic, there were negotiations around a deal sending Mitch Marner to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in a three-team swap that also would have involved the Carolina Hurricanes. The Leafs would've received Rantanen, while the Golden Knights would have ended up with Marner and "sent something" to Carolina.

Per Mirtle, Las Vegas and Carolina "failing to find the right assets" put an end to trade talks.

Rantanen was ultimately traded to the Dallas Stars, with the Hurricanes receiving a package that included two first-round picks, two third-round picks and Logan Stankoven in return.

The Stars subsequently handed Rantanen a new eight-year, $96 million contract extension.

Dallas reached the 2025 Western Conference Final before falling to the Edmonton Oilers in five games. Rantanen finished with 40 points in 38 games for the Stars following the change of scenery, including the playoffs.

As for Marner, he remained with Toronto through the deadline and is currently slated to become an unrestricted free agent.

The Maple Leafs ended the year with a 52-26-4 record but suffered a second-round playoff defeat at the hands of the Florida Panthers. Toronto is still searching for its first Eastern Conference Final appearance since 2002.

Las Vegas also exited the playoffs in the second round, failing to reach the Western Conference Final in each of the two years since the team's Stanley Cup victory in 2023.

The potential presence of Marner, who recorded a career-high 102 points during his 2024-25 campaign, could have helped the Golden Knights advance further in the postseason.