NHL Analysts Break Down the Cost for the Maple Leafs to Trade for Mikko Rantanen
Mikko Rantanen to Toronto? It's a possibility according to NHL Analysts Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Gord Stellick, but what exactly is it going to cost to do so?
The Mitch Marner saga has been quite the rollercoaster ride this season. From a potential deal before the season, to radio silence, to news that Toronto was unwilling to pay him what he wants; it's basically a crapshoot figuring out what's next.
So Toronto might have a contingency plan in place and it involves Mikko Rantanen. It sounds crazy, but stranger things have happened and in the crazy world of the modern day NHL; never say never.
When the topic of Rantanen came up on the Real Kyper and Bourne podcast hosted by NHL Analysts Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne, the two along with former NHL GM Gord Stellick discussed the potential cost of what it would take to bring him to Toronto:
Carolina can retain 50%. Chicago has 50% and he could be traded to the Leafs as if they were picking up a contract for $2.3M; less than Laughton, than a lot of other guys.
A hired gun to play alongside Marner in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The assets it would take to satisfy Carolina; you're against other teams who can make room for a $2.3M contract.
[Carolina] gave up Martin Necas, they want a real player. It would have to be a decent if not significant Top-6ish player.
It would be hard for Toronto to give up a player who could make an impact for the Hurricanes but they could get it done; let's take a look.
Toronto's Minimal However Important NHL Assets
Firstly, the team isn't dumping Marner for Rantanen although it would make everyone's lives easier.
But who is at the level that can make an impact? Matthew Knies is certainly a name who can be a game-changer, and has proven he can play top line minutes but can he run an offense along with Sebastian Aho?
How about Bobby McMann? The young power forward has really broken out and is an NHL-ready game-changer who can play Top-6 minutes in Carolina.
From there it gets a little touch and go when it comes to assets. Max Domi is definitely not the level of player as Rantanen and it's highly unlikely the Hurricanes want to take on his bloated contract.
Calle Janrkrok and Pontus Holmberg are interesting picks, however with Jarnkrok yet to play this season and Holmberg picking things up but historically inconsistent; it might be too risky.
Otherwise it gets really think, really quickly and the team would need to throw in some picks as a sweetener, or package one or several of their prospects in a three-team deal and get Rantanen that way.
This season, Rantanen has 26 goals and 41 assists in 57 games split between Colorado and Carolina.
Adding Rantanen to play alongside Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Matthew Knies, and Marner gives Toronto a video game-esque lineup that should absolutely dominate any team they encounter.
The Leafs, much like every other team, would be insane to not look at adding a player like Rantanen to their team.
But for a team under as much pressure as the Maple Leafs: It might be time to finally push all-in, no matter the cost.
