The Toronto Maple Leafs approached star forward Mitch Marner about a possible trade to the Carolina Hurricanes for Mikko Rantanen before Friday's deadline, The Athletic's Chris Johnston reports.
The Maple Leafs told Marner they wanted to sign him to an extension, but a trade was possible if he didn't want to put pen to paper, according to Johnston.
Marner, who has a full no-trade clause, reportedly declined the move while reiterating he wants to stay in Toronto.
The Maple Leafs have wanted to negotiate in recent months, but Marner's camp hasn't engaged during the season, Johnston reports.
Marner addressed the trade rumors following Saturday's loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
"I wasn't focused on it," he said, per TSN's Mark Masters. "You know, I'm sure that I had a feeling that maybe something might happen, but ... I'm focused with this team, and that's what I can tell you."
Marner added, I'm here to play hockey with this team. Yeah, that's what I can tell you. I want to be with this team."
Marner, 27, has 19 goals and 77 points in 61 games this season to rank seventh in NHL scoring. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Rantanen was ultimately traded to the Dallas Stars in exchange for forward Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks, and two third-rounders. He subsequently signed an eight-year extension at a $12-million cap hit.
Marner has played his entire 637-game career with the Maple Leafs after they drafted him in 2015. He's accumulated 213 goals and 716 points in the regular season but has drawn criticism for his playoff performances.
The Markham, Ontario, native has 11 goals and 50 points in 57 career postseason contests. Marner managed just one goal and three points in Toronto's seven-game loss to the Boston Bruins last spring.
Rantanen has 289 goals and 687 points in 632 career games. He netted a career-high 55 goals and 105 points in 2022-23 and eclipsed 100 points last season as well. The 28-year-old been exceptional in the playoffs, racking up 34 goals and 101 points in 81 postseason contests. He won the Stanley Cup in 2022 with the Colorado Avalanche.
