Former Colorado Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen should have been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Editor In Leaf
It's the trade that never happened, and for Toronto Maple Leafs fans, it could go down as one of the team's most painful «what-if" moments.
If Mitch Marner leaves Toronto this summer, the regret may tarnish his legacy, as he'll be remembered as the star who blocked a deal that could have brought in Mikko Rantanen with the Maple Leafs.
Former Colorado Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen should have been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
According to Jim Parsons of The Hockey Writers, several sources confirmed that the Maple Leafs were deep in talks on a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Hurricanes, which would have sent Mitch Marner to Carolina in exchange for star winger Mikko Rantanen. According to reports, the Hurricanes were eager to make the deal. However, when Toronto approached Marner about the move, he declined to waive his no-movement clause, ultimately shutting down the trade.
"It's a brutal narrative, and it will follow Marner if he leaves. The struggling hometown star who apparently loves Toronto had a chance to «do the right thing», but instead blocked a trade for a true difference-maker, faded in another crucial playoff run, and now might leave the team empty-handed." -Parsons
If Marner leaves in free agency, especially if he signs with Carolina, many fans believe he could go down as one of the most disliked figures in Toronto sports history.
"While much of the criticism is aimed at Marner, some believe the blame lies with team president Brendan Shanahan and Leafs management. After years of enabling Marner's demands - from his initial contract standoff to allowing full trade protection - the team has seemingly boxed itself into a corner." -Parsons
Similarly, the unwillingness to break up the core over the past three seasons implies that the organization may have brought its current situation upon itself.
| POLL | ||
MAI 20 | 27 ANSWERS Former Colorado Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen should have been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs Do you think Mikko Rantanen for Mitch Marner is fair one-for-one trade in the NHL? | ||
| yes | 10 | 37 % |
| no | 17 | 63 % |
| List of polls | ||
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