Mitch Marner May Just be the Biggest Loser of the Mikko Rantanen Trade
The Colorado Avalanche recently traded away Mikko Rantanen and when applied to the Toronto Maple Leafs, it seems like Mitch Marner could be in some trouble.
Mitch Marner is up for a new contract, much like Mikko Rantanen is. However, the Avalanche figured their best course of action would be to trade Rantanen as they did not want to pay him more than Nathan MacKinnon.
Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot to discuss
Rantanen's next deal could be around $12 million per year. This is interesting because his production over the last five years has been higher than that of Mitch Marner.
However, Marner is currently looking for a deal that would pay him more than Auston Matthews, who makes $13.5 million per year.
As one user on X points out, if Rantanen isn't worth $12 million to the Avs, Marner certainly isn't worth $14 million to the Leafs.
Reporters Nick Alberga and Dave McCarthy had a quick interaction on X about the Rantanen trade, which led to some quips about how Marner wants to make more than Auston Matthews.
As both McCarthy and Alberga alluded, that desire is absolutely ludicrous and the Leafs star may learn a harsh lesson.
With Rantanen being traded away instead of signed, it seems pretty clear that Marner should be worried about his perceived value.
A former Stanley Cup champion just got traded for Jack Drury and Martin Necas. That does not bode well for the contract Marner thinks he deserves.
If you are Brad Treliving, you can't help but feel very good about all of this and the team's finances going forward.
As unfortunate as it is for Marner, you can't help but feel like the Leafs are going to take full advantage of this development.
