Post-deadline, there are always stories seeping out … some things that don’t happen, some that did. One that continues to evolve is what happened before Mikko Rantanen was traded from Carolina to Dallas.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported Friday that Toronto offered Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten and two first-rounders to Carolina in exchange for Rantanen. The Hurricanes chose to accept the Stars’ package around Logan Stankoven, valuing him higher.
But, according to multiple sources, Carolina had another target.
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 the winger 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.