The Carolina Hurricanes find themselves in a precarious situation with Mikko Rantanen as the NHL trade deadline looms. Multiple reports indicate that Rantanen has no desire to sign a long-term contract in Carolina, leading Hurricanes management to explore trade options before today’s 3 p.m. deadline.
Overnight, NHL insider Darren Dreger reported that a deal had been in place between the Hurricanes and the Dallas Stars to send Rantanen to Texas. However, the trade fell apart early this morning for reasons not yet disclosed. This unexpected development has fueled speculation that the Toronto Maple Leafs have reached out to Carolina to inquire about the asking price for the elite winger.
The Cost of Acquiring Mikko Rantanen
Elliotte Friedman appeared on Sportsnet’s The Fan 590 morning show and discussed what it would take for the Maple Leafs to land Rantanen. According to Friedman, the Hurricanes are asking for Matthew Knies, one of Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan, and a 2026 first-round pick in exchange for the dynamic forward.
If Carolina agrees to retain 50% of Rantanen’s remaining cap hit, the Leafs would be able to acquire him at a reduced rate of just over $2.3 million, making the deal far more feasible under Toronto’s tight salary cap constraints.
Why the Maple Leafs Should Pull the Trigger
Toronto’s offense has been strong, but adding Rantanen would provide the elite secondary scoring they need to push through the playoffs. The Finnish winger is a proven playoff performer, with a lethal combination of size, skill, and finishing ability that would perfectly complement Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in the top six.
With the Atlantic Division looking stronger than ever, standing pat at the deadline could be a mistake for general manager Brad Treliving. Bringing in a game-changer like Rantanen would signal that the Leafs are serious about contending for a Stanley Cup this season. While losing Knies and a top prospect would be costly, the reward of securing an elite top-line winger could outweigh the risk.
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