Explosive Intel: Maple Leafs Had "Best Offer" For Rantanen, But Hurricanes "Refused To Take It"

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a nice deadline, bringing in the 3C they needed in Scott Laughton, and a solid, physical top-four capable defenseman in Brandon Carlo. But it almost became even more stunning, as we're told by insider Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet that Toronto had "the best offer on the table for Mikko Rantanen" today, but the Carolina Hurricanes "refused to take it."

Hey @SamAMcKee Your @MapleLeafs had the best offer on table for Rantanen today and the @Canes refused to take it.
We’ll discuss in detail and so much more on trade deadline day. #RealKyperandBourne coming up now with @jtbourne and @DougMaclean 5-7pm est @Sportsnet @FAN590
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) March 7, 2025

According to Kyper, GM Brad Treliving offered up the Leafs' top two prospects in Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten, plus two first-round picks for Rantanen.

🚨 The Maple Leafs had an official offer of Minten, Cowan, and two first-round picks on the table for Mikko Rantanen. Carolina “said no on the thought that they could meet the Leafs and Rantanen in the playoffs.”

— @RealKyper / @FAN590 #leafsforever pic.twitter.com/mi1dnF0Rpg
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) March 7, 2025

Carolina “said 'no' on the thought that they could meet the Leafs and Rantanen in the playoffs.” They wanted to "push him out West."

Now this next bombshell could have seriously changed the Leafs' dynamic on their own pending UFA superstar, Mitch Marner:

"I believe that the Leafs were willing to spend anywhere between $105M-$110M on a long-term deal ($13M+ AAV) on Rantanen," said Kypreos. "They were all in."

Toronto's willingness to swing big on Mikko Rantanen tells you all you need to do know about Mitch Marner's future.

Treliving's open to seismic change.

And he should be.

Massive postseason coming.
— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) March 7, 2025

Marner is expected to be asking for something in the range of $13M-$14M annually on a new deal, the same neighborhood that Rantanen was thought to be in, until he seemed to cave and "settle" for a $12M AAV with the Dallas Stars.

So the Hurricanes won't have to face Rantanen in the playoffs, but with the superstar back in the Central Division, the Colorado Avalanche very well might. Must-see TV.