Mitch Marner Refuses Trade Opportunity: How Maple Leafs Sidestepped a Rantanen Deal

Now we are able to start listening to some stories about blockbuster trades: both those that have happened and those that failed. One of those "big trades" possible was Marner with the Carolina Hurricanes. It was already in the talks of sending superstar winger Mitch Marner to Mikko Rantanen before the two teams ended up swapping Rantanen for the Dallas Stars. However, Carolina had come to establish one fact that has gone out about those possible trades. Marner was definitely going to be a "no." Instead, he remained firm in his decision to stay in Toronto. Such information only adds a nice twist to what could have been an "earth-shattering" trade.But before finalizing the transaction that sent Rantanen to Dallas, the Hurricanes had been approaching various matters in their pursuit of a heroic trade with Toronto. That much was understood in reports that Carolina was looking at a one-for-one deal revolving around the two players - Rantanen and Marner—top-notch wingers with scoring pedigree. Given the enormity of the deal, it would have left no choice for Toronto other than to treat such a request quite seriously. This was not to be as the Maple Leafs wished around the Rantanen deal but came back negotiating some other package--reportedly offering Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, and two first-round picks.For all Toronto's pursuit of Rantanen, it is the words of Marner that will be the last. Marner exercised his rights by declaring that he would not waive his no-move clause for approval from the Maple Leafs. Thus, everything became stagnant with Marner against the deal, and then Carolina finally went along with the substantially prospects-laden offer from Dallas revolving around Logan Stankoven.Marner's stance not to relocate suitably mounts loyalty to the franchise yet determines the long-term plans for Toronto. The Leafs have set clear notions into key activities with future contracts becoming critical, given the present one with Marner nearing expiration. The breakdown of the deal also proves one more direction that Toronto is actively looking for a way to improve its roster.Also Read : Could Mitch Marner become the highest paid NHL player? Former NHL Star Andrew Raycroft discusses the possibilityIf Marner had accepted the deal, it would have been one of the most shocking trade deals of the season. The Leafs are stable in their core, while Carolina continues forward with its selected trade package. The NHL deadline is behind us, but the ripples of that deadline will continue to be felt for months to come as they change the face of the future.