The Toronto Maple Leafs might have a backup plan in place as Mitch Marner’s contract issue is still up in the air.
NHL insider Nick Kypreos claims that if Marner departs in free agency, the Leafs are thinking about pursuing Mikko Rantanen as a possible replacement.
In his Wednesday update to “Real Kyper’s Trade Board 4.0,” Kypreos alluded to this possibility before talking about the scenario speculation in the “Real Kyper and Bourne” show’s episode that same day. Kypreos claims that Brad Treliving, general manager of Toronto, has been considering the concept.
“Don’t rule out the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they could acquire Rantanen as a bit of security in case Mitch Marner decides to head to free agency on July 1,” Kypreos said. “I think definitely Brad Treliving is looking at all options and that is one of them.
“They could seamlessly replace Marner with Rantanen on a line with Auston Matthews and probably get an extension done.” Kypreos thinks Toronto might try to make a better postseason push this season before their forward hits free agency if the Leafs are unable to get an answer from Marner about his future before the trade deadline. Carolina is allowed to keep half of Rantanen’s pay. “He could be traded to the Leafs as if they were signing a contract for $2.3M, and Chicago has 50% (already retained),” Kypreos said. “A hired gun to play alongside Marner in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.” Marner has a cap cost of $10.9 million this season and is in the last season of a six-year, $65.41 million contract.
Beginning with the upcoming season, the estimated pay cap hike is expected to boost his annual salary to between $12.5 million and $16 million. According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, Rantanen was dealt from Colorado to Carolina in January and has received an offer from the Hurricanes for an eight-year, $13 million AAV contract. However, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet disclosed on Saturday that the Finnish forward has not yet given Carolina a definitive response. The Hurricanes may decide to move Rantanen again rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency if he does not agree to sing again by March 7.
“If Carolina doesn’t get the response they want to their nine-figure contract offer that our Elliotte Friedman reported on Hockey Night in Canada this past weekend, look for trade talks with other clubs to kick into high gear,” Kypreos stated. Rantanen has only scored one goal and provided two assists in his eight games with the Hurricanes this season, after having 26 goals and 41 assists in 57 games.