The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to Mikko Rantanen for some time after it was reported that the Carolina Hurricanes would be looking to deal the Finnish superstar.
It is a possibility for the Buds as if they can convince the Hurricanes to retain 50 per cent of Rantanen’s contract, his cap hit would be lowered to $2.3 million after the Blackhawks already retained 50 per cent lowering the cap hit to $4.63 million.
The Maple Leafs have +160 odds to win the Atlantic Division and this should be a promising bet as they’ve been public that they’d like to win the division and solidify a relatively easier first round matchup than having to face Florida or Tampa Bay.
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They have an over/under set at 103.5 regular season points and Toronto should be able to easily surpass this following a handful of moves they are slated to make at the trade deadline.
NHL (@NHL) on X First point as a member of the @Canes for Mikko Rantanen! 🍎
Rantanen is listed with +230 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook to be traded but we layed out in an earlier article why we believe he will be moved.
A trade to get Rantanen would certainly put them over the top for both of these bets and Leafs Insider for The Hockey News, David Alter, layed out what a potential trade package could look like and if 28-year-old winger would be a good fit.
“Given what Carolina traded to land Rantanen, my belief is they’d be looking to trying and recoup nearly what they lost.” “Could be 2 of their top prospects. Maybe a first instead of one of those and possibly a roster player like [Nick] Robertson.”
– Alter told The Hockey News
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This estimated trade package would likely include one or both of Toronto’s top prospects in London Knights forward Easten Cowen and Saskatoon Blades forward Fraiser Minten. The Leafs don’t have a first-round pick in this upcoming draft but could move their 2026 or 2027 first-rounders.
If they were to trade Robertson, they would be getting rid of one of their more favorable contracts as he has a one-year left on his deal before becoming a restricted free agent with a cap hit at $875k.
The deal would be a big one and would signal an all-in approach for the Leafs this season as they would be selling off two sizeable future assets as well as…