Elliotte Friedman Reportedly Links Maple Leafs to Superstar Mikko Rantanen
NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman officially has the Toronto Maple Leafs as a candidate in the future Mikko Rantanen free agent sweepstakes.
With the Maple Leafs attached to every name possible it feels like when it comes to the trade deadline, it seems their pursuit of free agents in the summer is solely dependent on Mitch Marner and John Tavares' status.
NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman decided to add some more speculation into the mix, however this has a bit more truth than not -- and it involves Toronto going after Marner's replacement -- specifically Mikko Rantanen:
So even with Toronto strapped for cash -- can the team actually afford Rantanen come July 1? Let's take a look.
Mikko Rantanen Is Mitch Marner's Replacement -- At A Premium Cost
It feels the two are intrinsically linked together. Both are free agents, both are expected to command massive contracts, have very similar career statistics while Rantanen has the advantage when it comes to playoff success.
But either way you slice it -- both men are going to cost a LOT. Toronto needs to worry about signing Marner, John Tavares, Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, and not to mention whichever potential trade asset they bring in.
Yes, the cap goes up and yes there's a way Toronto can figure it out (hence why they leave the heavy lifting to numbers guru Brandon Pridham) but they need to make a choice.
Marner has unquestionably etched his name into the history books as one of the he greatest Leafs to ever do it, and his closeness to the community means so much more than hockey -- but he hasn't shown results and with such a critical eye watching him at all times, it's not easy.
For his career, Marner has 210 goals and 500 assists in 630 games to go along with 50 points in 57 playoff games.
Meanwhile, Rantanen has won a Stanley Cup and has consistently been one of the league's best playoff producers over the past six seasons.
For his career, Rantanen has 288 goals and 395 assists in 625 career games but adds a blistering 101 points in 81 playoff games.
Toronto can't afford any more setbacks in their quest for a Cup and with their window shortly closing; can they hedge their bets that Marner will figure it out? Or do they pay for the sure thing in Rantanen and go the established route?
Both are going to cost a ton of money and a lot of their decisions come down to after the playoffs.
But whoever Toronto picks -- they better not find themselves with a case of buyer's remorse.
| POLL | ||
8 HOURS AGO | 194 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman Reportedly Links Maple Leafs to Superstar Mikko Rantanen Should Toronto take a chance on signing Mikko Rantanen or try and re-sign Mitch Marner? | ||
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates with Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/528741.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates with Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) plays the puck against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/528591.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) plays the puck against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
