Analyst Reveals What Hurricanes Want From Maple Leafs to Acquire Mikko Rantanen
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs are rumoured to be considering making a big splash at the deadline and one NHL analyst has revealed what they'd have to part with for Mikko Rantanen.
We are now just 8 days away from the NHL's trade deadline on March 7th, and the Leafs have been linked to some pretty attractive names in recent weeks. Unsurprisingly, the most interesting name is that of Mikko Rantanen, who is currently mulling over an offer from the Carolina Hurricanes.
While it goes without saying that a trade package to acquire the Stanley Cup champion would be steep, the Leafs do have what it takes to get a deal done, contrary to popular belief.
On Thursday, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos revealed that not only do the Leafs have the pieces that the Hurricanes would want in a Mikko Rantanen deal, they can very easily fit the superstar winger in under the cap as well. According to Kypreos, after Chicago retained 50% on Rantanen in the deal to Carolina, if the Canes retain 50% of his remaining cap hit in a deal to Toronto, he would count for just $2.3M against the cap.
"If the Leafs are able to satisfy the Hurricanes' trade demands - a package that includes one of their top prospects, Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten, plus Bobby McMann and a draft pick should do it - Rantanen could be the perfect rental player," Kypreos stated in his most recent article for The Toronto Star.
"If by chance GM Brad Treliving doesn't get Marner signed to a long-term deal before July 1, who better to have as a potential insurance policy than Rantanen?
Unlike the Hurricanes, who are now pressing Rantanen to either sign or be dealt, the Leafs can offer him a pressure-free playoff run and postpone any big decisions until free agency arrives. A deep playoff run would give Toronto a huge leg up in signing him long-term in the event Marner leaves."
"If by chance GM Brad Treliving doesn't get Marner signed to a long-term deal before July 1, who better to have as a potential insurance policy than Rantanen?
Unlike the Hurricanes, who are now pressing Rantanen to either sign or be dealt, the Leafs can offer him a pressure-free playoff run and postpone any big decisions until free agency arrives. A deep playoff run would give Toronto a huge leg up in signing him long-term in the event Marner leaves."
There are rumblings that Marner may opt to test free agency on July 1st before making a decision on his future. Having Rantanen's signing rights before then could potentially give the Leafs a strong negotiating position when it comes to Marner. If his ask gets too ridiculous, they could just turn around and extend Rantanen.
For Marner, who has previously stated his desire to remain in Toronto for a long time, the threat of the team potentially moving on and signing someone else may entice him to put pen to paper long before July 1st.
As for a Rantanen deal, obviously, that's a steep price to pay if you're the Leafs, but if the choice is between risking 1 year of Mikko Rantanen or 3 years of someone like Brayden Schenn, who is older and has a significant cap hit for 3 seasons after this one, carrying him through his 36-year-old season, I'd much rather take my chances with the superstar.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 27 | 3470 ANSWERS Analyst Reveals What Hurricanes Want From Maple Leafs to Acquire Mikko Rantanen Would you part with Bobby McMann, one of Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten, along with a 1st round pick for potentially one playoff run with Mikko Rantanen? | ||
| Yes | 1409 | 40.6 % |
| No | 2061 | 59.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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