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Mikko Rantanen, Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)

Insider Says Leafs Trade Suitors for Discounted Mikko Rantanen

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Jim Parsons | Last updated Feb 21, 2025 2:10 PM ET

When Mikko Rantanen was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes, the belief was that Carolina would immediately get to work on extending a long-term contract offer to the superstar forward in the hopes he would commit long-term. While reports are the Hurricanes are willing to pony up as much as $14 million to keep him, speculation now is that Rantanen might not be keen to extend his stay with the Hurricanes.

As such, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that Rantanen may, once again, be on the move.

Could One Shocking Rantanen Trade Lead to Another?

The initial Rantanen trade sent shockwaves through the league. To hear that he could be on the move again is even more surprising. Friedman reported in his latest 32 Thoughts Podcast that there’s a real possibility the Hurricanes will move on if Rantanen won’t sign an extension. He speculates that the team might even retain salary to get Rantanen’s cap hit down to $2.3 million.

If this happens, the 27-year-old forward could become one of the most coveted rental players ahead of the NHL trade deadline on March 7, 2025. Friedman notes that essentially anyone can afford Rantanen at $2.3 million, listing six teams as potential suitors (although there will be far more.).

The Maple Leafs Are Among The Teams Named

Several teams, including the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and notably, the Toronto Maple Leafs, will likely show a strong interest in acquiring Rantanen. The Maple Leafs are looking to add, but salary cap implications are a factor. A $2.3 million Rantanen becomes an affordable option. The question becomes what the Leafs are willing to give up.

What makes Rantanen’s situation particularly interesting is that the Blackhawks retained 50% of his salary as part of the deal, lowering his cap hit to $4.625 million. More retention could get his cap hit as low as $2.3 million. The Leafs currently have $2.2 million in cap space, with some LTIR considerations to factor in.

The solution isn’t complicated in that Toronto could trade draft picks, top-end prospects, and a roster player or two as part of the trade package. It will take that much from any team if the line starts forming and the offers increase over the next two weeks. That said, are they willing to go all in?

What Is Rantanen Worth to the Maple Leafs?

For the Maple Leafs, adding a player like Rantanen could be a game-changer. Bringing in another dynamic, top-tier forward to complement the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander would make them an offensive juggernaut. He could be the proven playoff performer that gets the Leafs over their previous Stanley Cup hurdles. Frankly, the opportunity to add a player of Rantanen’s caliber could be too tempting for Leafs management to pass up.

However, the Leafs’ decision to pursue Rantanen may depend on several factors. Are they looking to re-sign him? Is he just a rental? Where do things stand with Mitch Marner? Any assets they give up are gone forever, and if Rantanen walks in free agency, the Leafs have to be comfortable that they gave up a big part of their future for a short-term home-run shot.

There is no chance the Hurricanes have a low asking price for Rantanen, given what they gave up to acquire him. Having dealt Martin Necas and Jack Drury in hopes of securing Rantanen long-term, Carolina is going to try to maximize their return, particularly if they’re up for retaining 50% of his salary. That means outbidding what could be a dozen other teams. On the low end, this could be Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan… plus. On the high end, the Hurricanes could ask for Matthew Knies.

As March 7 draws closer, it will be intriguing to see how much the Rantanen trade speculation picks up and how involved the Maple Leafs ultimately are in those conversations.