Rantanen Deal Shakes Loose Mitch Marner's Rumoured Asking Price From the Maple Leafs

While one reporter is predicting an underwhelming trade deadline for the Toronto Maple Leafs, another report could indicate another giant trade.

Pending free agent Mikko Rantenen says he was shocked by his recent trade to the Carolina Hurricanes from the Colorado Avalanche.

Rantanen's situation, in terms of pending UFA status, impact on his team, point production, etc., makes him very comparable to what Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is facing with Mitch Marner right now.

A point being made is that Rantanen possibly asked for more money than teammate Nathan MacKinnon on his next contract, while the Colorado Avalanche have an internal cap to ensure no one gets paid more than their current captain.

Dave McCarthy, a Maple Leafs correspondent for the NHL.com, remarked that he doesn't blame the Avalanche for the internal salary structuring, , but Leafs Morning Take host Nick Alberga reported that Marner wants more than Auston Matthews, who is currently the highest paid player in the NHL, excluding Leon Draisaitl's future contract.

McCarthy responded that he can't see that happening, which would leave Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving with little choice but to trade Marner at the deadline rather than letting him walk as a free agent for nothing. Unfortunately Marner is driving the bus here with his full NMC.

Another high profile player in Toronto, Morgan Rielly, has also become the target of much trade speculation amid a rough stretch. Ex-NHLer Ray Ferraro believes that Leafs fans have unrealistic expectations for him, but Morgan Rielly also has a full no-movement clause, which would make him impossible to deal without his permission.

This could end up being a very interesting deadline and offseason for the Maple Leafs.