How a Panarin-Marner blockbuster trade could shake up the Eastern Conference

For the better part of the last month, Toronto Maple Leafs fans and analysts have wondered about a Mitch Marner trade, with teams like Utah, Seattle and Nashville all expressing interest in the veteran forward. Now, The Hockey News have suggested a new trade, and it's safe to say that it's one no one before now has expected or potentially suggested.

The proposed deal would be a swap of fantastic regular season performers yet playoff disappearing acts in New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin and Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.

On the surface, given how unexpected it would be to see two top stars swapped in a deal like this, it sounds crazy, but the deeper you look, it could make sense for both parties.

In New York, Panarin has had the pressure of being the creator in the lineup, but on a line with Auston Matthews, he'd thrive with the games best goal scoring threat. As for Marner, it would be a new start away from Toronto, and while he'd still be in the spotlight in The Big Apple, he could form a new partnership with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider that could spark this team moving forward.

It's a highly unlikely, especially given the NMC of Marner, which has stopped the team talking to him, at least that is what is being reported until the team get a deal they like, and right now, it's hard to see New York making the call.

We've seen wilder things happen, and given how both teams have underperformed in the playoffs, never say never.

Source: The Hockey News
Why A Blockbuster Trade Involving Artemi Panarin And Mitch Marner Makes Sense