The Toronto Maple Leafs made a splash at the NHL’s 2025 trade deadline Friday, pulling off two significant deals to improve the team. But according to a Sportsnet report, the Leafs could’ve made a blockbuster move by trading star right winger Mitch Marner to Carolina for star right winger Mikko Rantanen.

Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner declined a trade that included Mikko Rantanen at the NHL trade deadline and gave his reaction.

Nearly two years ago, the Leafs lost leverage in the Mitch Marner contract situation and set the stage for Mikko Rantanen deadline talks.