Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner DECLINED waiving off no-trade clause in potential Mikko Rantanen trade deal with Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes proposed a Mikko Rantanen-Mitch Marner trade deal which was blocked off Marner by using his no-trade clause.

Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner DECLINED waiving off no-trade clause in potential Mikko Rantanen trade deal with Hurricanes

Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen (Image via X/NBC Sports)

The NHL trade deadline produced some major drama this year. While Brad Marchand‘s shocking trade by the Boston Bruins stole all the headlines, another name that was the highlight of trade talks was Mikko Rantanen. Before his eventual trade to the Dallas Stars, the Finnish star was seemingly even offered to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange of Mitch Marner, who refused to waive his no-trade clause.

Rantanen was involved in a shocking 3-way team trade in January. After being given away by the Colorado Avalanche, it seemed that the forward would finish the season with the Carolina Hurricanes. However, after a poor showing, the Canes tried to trade him away.

In the end, the Canes gave away Rantanen to the Stars. The forward, who was unwilling to sign a $14 million per year contract extension with the Avs, penned down an 8-year $96 million ($12 million AAV) extension with the Stars. His new contract has a no-trade clause as well.

Another player who will become a free agent after the end of the season is Mitch Marner. The Canes would thus try to trade away Rantanen in exchange for Marner. The Canadian international, though refused the chance to be traded and used his no-trade clause to block off the move.

While speaking with the media after the trade deadline, the 27-year-old admitted that he knew something like this might happen.

I wasn’t focused on it. I had a feeling that maybe something might happen. But, yeah, I’m here to play hockey with this team, like I said, and I’m focused with this team. And that’s what I can tell you.

Mitch Marner told the reporters as per TSN’s Mark Masters

Mitch Marner remains tight-lipped over future with Maple Leafs

One of the biggest talking points regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs this year is the contract situation of Mitch Marner. The forward star is currently in the final year of his 6-year contract which he signed in 2019. So far, the player has remained tight-lipped over his future with the Maple Leafs.

Mitch Marner
Mitch Marner (Image via Imago)

Marner’s contract will expire on July 1. He has time until then to decide whether he wants to negotiate a new deal or try his hand at free agency. At that moment, he is unwilling to dive into talks about a contract extension and is just focusing on the season.

I’m not gonna get into any of this contact stuff. I’ve been very grateful, and I’ve loved my time being a Leaf. So, I’ll leave it with you guys. we got 20 games left here that aren’t going to be easy. We got to make sure we just keep our foot down on the gas here and give ourselves the best position to go into playoffs.

Mitch Marner told the reporters

Marner is the leading point scorer for his team this season. In the 62 games he has played so far, he has 21 goals and 58 assists to sit on 79 points.

This year, the Maple Leafs have done better in the regular season so far. However, they have suffered a slight bump in the past few days.

The 7-4 loss against the Colorado Avalanche turned out to be their third straight defeat leaving them with a 38-22-3 record and 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They will look to shake this off in the next game against the Utah Hockey Club on Monday.