As the March 7 trade deadline looms, questions continue to circulate about whether general manager Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs will make a significant splash. 

On Wednesday’s edition of Real Kyper and Bourne, hosts Nick Kypreos, Sam McKee, and Gord Stellick discussed a blockbuster scenario: the Maple Leafs acquiring Carolina Hurricanes star forward Mikko Rantanen.

“I think absolutely that Brad Treliving is looking at all options, and that would be one of them,” said Kypreos. “Carolina can retain again, 50%. That’s 50% Chicago has and up to 50% Carolina. He could be traded to the Leafs as if the Leafs are picking up a contract for 2.3 million dollars, which is less than (Scott) Laughton, which is less than a lot of guys.” 

“The only thing is, is the assets it would take to satisfy Carolina. The other thing for Leafs fans is that you are in high competition with pretty much every competitive team going into the playoffs this year who can easily add a $2.4 million contract,” he added.

Rantanen was acquired only a month ago in another blockbuster trade between the Colorado Avalanche and the Carolina Hurricanes, yet his time with the Hurricanes may already be winding down. The Avalanche couldn’t make progress on an extension, and it seems neither can the Hurricanes. The Finnish winger has struggled to produce with his new club, registering just one goal and two assists in eight games. 

With unrestricted free agency approaching this summer and little progress on an extension, Carolina could look to flip him for assets before losing him for nothing. The 28-year-old is currently playing in the final year of a six-year, $55.5 million contract and is due for a significant pay bump that may not be with the Hurricanes. 

As mentioned, the Blackhawks already retained a portion of Rantanen’s salary from Colorado, and Carolina could retain another 50%, potentially reducing his cap hit to just $2.3-$2.4 million for the acquiring team.

That number makes him a highly attractive option for the Leafs but also increases competition from other teams eyeing a top-tier rental.

Report: Maple Leafs Among Several Teams In The Mix Of Trade Discussions For Sabres Forward Dylan Cozens Cozens is playing in year two of a seven-year, $49.7 million contract with the Sabres.

According to Kypreos, who wrote a new column on Thursday, the Leafs could be a team interested in his services. However, the price would likely be steep – especially to ensure a palatable cap hit with retention from the Hurricanes. 

“If the Leafs are able to satisfy the Hurricanes’ trade demands — a package that includes one of their top prospects, Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten, plus Bobby McMann and a draft pick should do it — Rantanen could be the perfect rental player,” wrote Kypreos.

A Contingency Plan for Marner?

Perhaps the most intriguing part of this speculation is how Rantanen could factor into Toronto’s long-term plans, particularly with Mitch Marner set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

‘By All Indications, He Wants To Stay’: Why The Mitch Marner Situation With Maple Leafs Is Reportedly Different Than Mikko Rantanen’s In Colorado Marner became eligible to sign an extension on July 1 and is five months away from hitting free agency.

“If by chance GM Brad Treliving doesn’t get Marner signed to a long-term deal before July 1, who better to have as a potential insurance policy than Rantanen?” wrote Kypreos. 

“Unlike the Hurricanes, who are now pressing Rantanen to either sign or be dealt, the Leafs can offer him a pressure-free playoff run and postpone any big decisions until free agency arrives. A deep playoff run would give Toronto a huge leg up in signing him long-term in the event Marner leaves,” he added.

Both Rantanen and Marner are projected to earn expensive long-term contracts at the end of the season, and the Leafs could have the luxury of chasing one if the other decides to depart – a potential negotiating tactic in the ongoing Marner contract talks.

Financially, Toronto would need Carolina to retain salary to make the deal work. The Leafs currently have just over $2.2 million in cap space, with Calle Jarnkrok and Jani Hakanpaa on long-term injured reserve. Any trade would require careful cap maneuvering by Treliving.

Preparing for a postseason run, Rantanen could be the piece to help the club get over the hump and add an extra layer to help prepare for an uncertain future with Marner.

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