Stunning Report: Hurricanes Asked For Mitch Marner from Maple Leafs for Mikko Rantanen

In a stunning new report from insider Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in their bid to try to acquire Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline yesterday from the Carolina Hurricanes, were asked for their own star pending UFA forward, Mitch Marner in return.

In his report, Friedman says that Marner was indeed notified by the Leafs of this development:

The Hurricanes initially asked for Mitch Marner in return for Rantanen. Because it was for Rantanen, the Maple Leafs had to consider it. They told (Marner) 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.
Neither the Maple Leafs, the Hurricanes, nor Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, would comment. But that could have been the biggest blockbuster of the week.

Following up on that, there are reports that the Leafs have tried to negotiate a new extension for Marner, but his camp has declined.

🚨 The Maple Leafs have expressed interest in getting down to business on a contract extension in recent months with Mitch Marner, but Marner’s camp has been unwilling to engage during the season.

— @reporterchris #LeafsForever
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) March 8, 2025

They do not want to get into talks during the season, preferring to wait until after the campaign is done. On the open market, Marner would be the No. 1 unrestricted free agent, one of the top playmakers (and players) in hockey, and would be able to command a massive deal, no matter what happens from here on out this season. So money-wise, it isn't much of a risk at all on the player's part. As Chris Johnston put it in The Athletic today, "a world of opportunity (is) potentially ready to unfold before him this summer."

But it's a risky proposition for Marner if he indeed really does want to stay with his hometown team. If Toronto has another disappointing early exit from the playoffs and Marner does not step up his play from past postseason let-downs, his value — to the Buds, at least — could take a hit, and their desire to re-sign him for an outrageous price could be shattered.

But on the open market, teams will be lining up to offer him a $14M AAV deal. If it gets to that, as Johnston says, as far as Marner's chances of remaining with te Leafs, "all bets are off."

As for the Rantanen talks at the deadline on Friday, after the initial ask from Carolina for Marner, the Leafs are reported to have made a huge pitch, "the best offer" the Hurricanes got for Rantanen, but they turned it down.