Mitch Marner Reportedly Asked To Waive Trade Protection For Carolina Hurricanes

Before the Carolina Hurricanes traded Mikko Rantanen to the Dallas Stars, they apparently had conversations with the Toronto Maple Leafs surrounding winger Mitch Marner.

According to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs approached Marner about whether or not he would waive his no-movement clause and the winger, in the final year of a six-year, $10.903 million AAV contract, reportedly refused.

"The Hurricanes initially asked for Mitch Marner in return for Rantanen," Friedman wrote. "Because it was for Rantanen, the Maple Leafs had to consider it. 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."

That certainly would have been an interesting trade for Carolina, to land yet another elite right winger, but it just didn't come to fruition.

The Toronto media asked Marner about the move following their 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, and he reaffirmed his commitment to his current club.

"I'm here to play hockey with this team," Marner said. "I want to be with this team, I want to play with this team. I wasn't focused on it. I had a feeling that something might happen, but I'm here to play hockey with this team."

When asked if he envisions himself being a Leaf next season?

"I'm not going to get into any of this contract stuff. I've been very grateful and I've loved my time being a Leaf. So that's where I'll leave it at with you guys."

Marner, 28, has 21 goals and 79 points in 62 games this season, good for sixth place in league scoring, and since the 2021-22 season, Marner ranks eighth in total league scoring with 112 goals and 360 points.

It's obvious that the Hurricanes see him as a valuable player, so that's definitely someone to keep an eye on in free agency this offseason.

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