The NHL trade deadline always brings surprises, and one of the biggest storylines of the season involved star forward Mikko Rantanen. Initially traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes in January, Rantanen found himself on the move again before the deadline, landing with the Dallas Stars. However, NHL insider Darren Dreger recently revealed that if the Stars deal had fallen through, the Toronto Maple Leafs were a serious backup plan for the dynamic winger.
While Rantanen ultimately signed an eight-year, $96 million extension with Dallas, the details of Toronto’s potential trade package have now come to light. What would the Leafs have given up, and how close was Rantanen to wearing the blue and white? Here’s everything you need to know about the trade that almost happened.
Mikko Rantanen’s Blockbuster Journey from Colorado to Dallas
Rantanen’s journey this season has been nothing short of dramatic. After spending his entire NHL career with the Colorado Avalanche, the 27-year-old winger was shockingly traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in January. The move was part of a multi-player deal aimed at strengthening the Hurricanes’ push for a Stanley Cup.
However, Rantanen’s stay in Carolina was short-lived. As the March 7 trade deadline approached, the Hurricanes made another blockbuster move, sending Rantanen to the Dallas Stars. Now locked in for eight years with Dallas, the Finnish winger is already making an impact, with three points in his first two games with the team.
Dreger: Toronto Was Plan B If Dallas Deal Fell Through
Speaking on the TSN OverDrive podcast, NHL insider Darren Dreger disclosed that the Toronto Maple Leafs were Rantanen’s backup trade destination if negotiations with Dallas had broken down. According to Dreger, Toronto was a serious contender but was not planning to part with superstars like Mitch Marner or William Nylander to make the deal happen.
“It was, well, yeah. My sense is that Toronto was Plan B if Dallas didn’t work out. Toronto was Plan B. Now, Marner was not going out the other side. Nylander wasn’t going out the other side. It probably would have been a collection of other items. Obviously, the prospects have been speculated on.”
Dreger didn’t go into detail regarding the Leafs’ trade offer, but analyst Nick Kypreos later shared additional information that sheds light on what Toronto was willing to part with.
Leafs’ Reported Trade Offer for Rantanen
On the Real Kyper & Bourne podcast, analyst Nick Kypreos revealed that the Maple Leafs were prepared to offer a significant package for Rantanen. According to Kypreos, Toronto was willing to trade:
- Prospect Fraser Minten
- Prospect Easton Cowan
- Two first-round picks
Additionally, the Leafs were prepared to offer Rantanen a long-term contract worth between $105 million and $110 million over eight years. The extension would have made him one of the highest-paid wingers in the NHL.
While this offer was certainly enticing, Carolina ultimately found a deal with Dallas that better suited their needs, sending Rantanen to the Stars instead.
Rantanen “Happy” to Be in Dallas
Despite the whirlwind of trades, Rantanen has embraced his new home in Dallas. After playing just 13 games with the Hurricanes, where he managed two goals and four assists, he has already found chemistry with his new Stars teammates.
“I’m happy to be here, it’s been a crazy time for sure,” Rantanen said in an interview with NHL.com. “Colorado was always where I wanted to stay long-term, but I understand it’s a business and they made a decision they felt was best… Now I’m thrilled to be in Dallas, locked in for eight years with a great team and coaches. I’m thankful the Stars have put their trust in me.”
Rantanen also mentioned that he approached the Hurricanes trade with an open mind, but ultimately felt that the Stars’ playing style suited him better. With 29 goals and 73 points in 64 games this season, he remains one of the league’s most consistent offensive threats.
What This Means for the Toronto Maple Leafs
The revelation that the Leafs were in on Rantanen raises intriguing questions about their strategy heading into the trade deadline. Toronto has long been searching for additional firepower to complement Auston Matthews, Marner, and Nylander. A player of Rantanen’s caliber could have made a massive difference, particularly in the playoffs.
Had the trade gone through, the Leafs would have significantly bolstered their offensive depth, but at the cost of two of their top prospects and multiple first-round picks. Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan are both regarded as promising young players with bright NHL futures. While Toronto remains competitive in the Eastern Conference, missing out on Rantanen means they may have to explore other options to enhance their roster in the future.
The Future of the Dallas Stars with Rantanen
With Rantanen now part of the Dallas Stars, the team is in a prime position to make a deep playoff run. The Stars boast an already strong core featuring Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Miro Heiskanen. Adding Rantanen to the mix gives them even more offensive firepower and makes them a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Dallas’ decision to sign Rantanen to an eight-year, $96 million extension secures their top talent for the foreseeable future. The move signals the Stars’ commitment to remaining competitive and building a championship-caliber team around their dynamic forward group.
Final Thoughts on the Rantanen Trade Saga
Mikko Rantanen’s trade from Colorado to Carolina, followed by his move to Dallas, was one of the biggest NHL stories of the season. The Toronto Maple Leafs were a serious Plan B destination, and their willingness to offer a package of top prospects and draft picks indicates how much they valued the Finnish winger.
Ultimately, Dallas won the sweepstakes, locking in a premier goal-scorer who should significantly impact their franchise for years to come. As for the Leafs, they’ll have to turn their attention to other options if they hope to add another star player to their roster in the near future.
Stay tuned for more NHL trade rumors and insights as the season progresses.
