Quoting: MitchJr
Makes no sense; no one is denying Rantanen’s effectiveness - why I highly doubt the Avs trade him.
But the Leafs only move Marner to change the balance of team & free up cap space to address d corps. They already have two guys that drive lines (Matthews & Nylander)
Leafs could trade Marner to change the balance of the team OR as part of a shakeup. So, if the Leafs go out there to try trading Marner for multiple pieces but selling him pennies on the dollars but have the chance to get Rantanen, it does make sense if they want to change their core. Or they could just sign Marner, and run it back and wait for Tavares' cap hit to drop,
In other words if you have the options are:
1) signing Marner
2) trading him for Rantanen
3) selling him for pennies on the dollar
They should pick 1 or 2, and just be patient for a year. Trading Marner for Rantanen is similar to running back but no one is going to be upset because it is a change.
If there is a 4th option available which is trading him fora quality RD and top 6F for example, then sure pick that.