It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’ve passed the March 7 trade deadline, but there’s plenty of fallout from the big day. We saw some massive deals made in and around the deadline. However, there were some blockbuster deals that didn’t materialize. We’ve already discussed the fallout somewhat in a previous edition of NHL rumours. However, this edition deals with the one Toronto Maple Leafs player that was the focus on a deal and his long-term future with the team.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs Hoping to Extend Forward
Rumour: Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving talked to the media in the wake of the trade deadline. Toronto’s GM talked about the fallout of a proposed trade involving Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen that got nixed.
Analysis: Treliving voiced his support for Marner, who is a free agent at the end of the current season. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported during Saturday’s Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada that the Carolina Hurricanes asked the Maple Leafs for Marner in trade talks involving Rantanen. Friedman also mentioned that the Leafs went to Marner, but that was turned aside via Marner’s no-movement clause.
We talked in a previous edition of NHL rumours that the Leafs made a pitch to the Hurricanes involving highly-touted prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten and a pair of first-round choices. This news was first reported by Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos. The former NHLer added that Toronto was willing to offer Rantanen a contract offer of over $105 for eight seasons.
Carolina eventually shipped Rantanen to the Dallas Stars for a pair of first-round picks and Logan Stankoven. Toronto did eventually spring for forward Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers and Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins. Minten was sent to Bruins for Carlo.
What It Means
The focus now shifts to Marner, who is on pace for his first career 100-point season. Treliving was quick to say that he wants Marner on the club for a long time. However, one wonders what will happen when July 1 rolls around.
One wonders how Marner will take being asked to drop his no-trade clause. He’s been a very good regular season player, but has struggled at times in the post-season. Rantanen is a proven playoff performer and the only thing that matters is success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Marner is in the final year of his deal that sees him make $10.903 million a season. Toronto also has to deal with trying to re-sign former captain John Tavares. Treliving is going to have to find a way to fit the other two pieces of the Core Four. Both William Nylander and Auston Matthews have signed their respective deals. However, those cap hits are already taking a big chunk out of the team’s cap.
Previous editions of NHL rumours have reported that Tavares might be able to take less to give Toronto more flexibility. However, one wonders what dollar amount Marner will seek this off-season. The future is still as murky as it was before the season.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The post NHL Rumours: Toronto Maple Leafs Hope to Re-Sign Star Forward appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.