Marner refused to waive no-move clause in potential blockbuster Toronto Maple Leafs trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs considered drastic move ahead of yesterday’s trade deadline in an attempt to land Mikko Rantanen.

Rantanen, who was expected to be traded by the Carolina Hurricanes, drew interest from several teams across the league. We learned earlier today that the Edmonton Oilers were one of those teams, and it sounds like the Maple Leafs had serious interest as well.

The Leafs’ interest in Rantanen had been documented in the days leading into the deadline, but a recent report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman truly indicates just how far they were willing to go to make it a reality.

Carolina reportedly tried to get Mitch Marner from the Leafs in return for Rantanen, and the Leafs considered it, according to Friedman. They even asked Marner if he would waive his no-movement clause.

He declined.

“Because it was for Rantanen, the Maple Leafs had to consider it,” Friedman wrote. “They told the winger their desire is to sign him, but they had to ask in this case. As is his right, Marner declined to move, re-iterating his desire to stay.”

Rantanen ended up being moved to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks.

Shortly after acquiring Rantanen, the Stars announced that they had signed him to an eight-year, $96 million extension which will carry a cap hit of $12 million. Marner could sign a similar contract this summer in free agency, whether it be with in Toronto or elsewhere.

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