Leafs Considered Trading Marner in Three-Way Deal Involving Rantanen

 



The Toronto Maple Leafs explored a major three-team trade involving Mitch Marner before the 2025 NHL trade deadline, according to The Athletic’s James Mirtle. The proposed deal would’ve sent Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights and brought Mikko Rantanen to Toronto, but the trade ultimately fell through as Vegas and the Carolina Hurricanes couldn’t align on the right pieces to complete it.

It remains unclear whether Marner was asked to waive his no-movement clause, though reports later indicated he refused to lift it for a separate potential trade that would have sent him to Carolina in exchange for Rantanen.

Eventually, the Hurricanes dealt Rantanen to the Dallas Stars in exchange for top prospect Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks. Rantanen has since inked an eight-year, $96-million contract to remain in Dallas.

Toronto also engaged with Vegas during the previous offseason about a Marner trade. Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs were reportedly interested in acquiring defenseman Shea Theodore, but the Golden Knights turned down the request. Theodore later signed a seven-year, $52-million extension in October 2024. Marner’s willingness to waive his no-movement clause at that time is still unknown.

With his contract set to expire on July 1, Marner is poised to hit unrestricted free agency. Most expect the 28-year-old forward to move on from the Leafs, his hometown team, after nine seasons. While he’s consistently delivered in the regular season—including a career-best 102 points this year—his playoff performances have faced heavy scrutiny. Toronto has reached the postseason nine straight times but has only won two series in that span.

Marner currently tops theScore’s list of pending unrestricted free agents. Both Carolina and Vegas are expected to be among the suitors this summer. The Hurricanes have ample cap space at $28 million, while the Golden Knights—working with $9.6 million—would need to move salary to make room.

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