Toronto Maple Leafs
Host Teases Maple Leafs Pivot on Marner, Chase Bigger UFA
If the Toronto Maple Leafs struggle to get Mitch Marner signed, a host says they should pivot to a bigger UFA this summer in Mikko Rantanen.
Speaking on “Spittin’ Chiclets”, host Paul Bissonnette suggested that if the Toronto Maple Leafs struggle with Mitch Marner’s contract negotiations, the team should shift gears and turn their attention to the recently traded Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen is expected to test the free agent market this summer and Bissonnette noted, “I would definitely go after Rantanen. … And I would overpay him to do so because then you have a big body, who is going to be a stud player.”
If Marner has a great playoff in 2025, the Leafs will likely do what they can to keep him. But, if he falters and still asks for a big amount of money on a contract extension, the Maple Leafs be looking to see what their options are.
“Let’s say playoffs didn’t go that positive for the Toronto Maple Leafs (this season),” Bissonnette said. “Maybe you get this similar type of performance out of Marner that you saw last year where we can get into the age-old argument, like, he wasn’t a liability per se, but he definitely wasn’t regular-season Mitch.”
That could make a player like Rantanen look quite appealing.
Rantanen has 101 points in 81 playoff games for an average of 1.24 points per game. He’s a proven playoff performer and he’s won in the biggest moments. Marner’s postseasons haven’t been atrocious — 50 points in 57 games, yielding a much worse 0.87 average — but the two players, when placed side by said, are not comparable.
Would Rantanen Be a Better Fit Than Marner?
What Bissonnette seemed to like so much about the idea of adding Rantanen was his size and how he would bring size and skill to the Maple Leafs.
“I’m assuming [John] Tavares is going to come back on a team-friendly deal. He’s a big player. You have [William] Nylander. He’s a big, fast, dynamic player. [Auston] Matthews, a big, fast, dynamic player. And then, all of a sudden, you have Ratanen.”
And, the two players are likely going to fall in around the same annual average salary, so from a financial perspective, it would be a matter of choosing who the Leafs like better.
h/t to Athlon Sports for the quotes
Next: NHL Trade Talk Morning Roundup: Flames, Canadiens & Maple Leafs
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