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Mitch Marner Explains Exactly Why He Refused a Trade to the Carolina Hurricanes
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner could have gone to the Carolina Hurricanes at the trade deadline last season, but he ultimately vetoed the deal.
Last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs were correct in their assumptions that Mitch Marner would leave the team in free agency.
Consequently, the franchise was looking for various ways to trade the forward at the trade deadline. In fact, the Leafs even had a deal lined up with the Carolina Hurricanes for Mikko Rantanen.
Marner had a no-trade clause, and he refused to waive it. As a result, the Dallas Stars ended up with the forward instead.
Meanwhile, Leafs fans were absolutely livid with Marner, noting that he completely screwed them out of a superstar player, knowing good and well he was going to leave in July.
Mitch Marner on the Carolina Hurricanes
In a new piece for NHL.com, Marner explained why he refused the trade. Ultimately, it all has to do with his wife's pregnancy and his incoming child.
"The last two years there were a lot of rumors going on, a lot of different stuff swirling around. You didn't know what was going to happen," Marner said. "Then the whole Carolina thing comes up in the middle of the season. It's a bit of an awkward one. My wife was six or seven months pregnant, we really didn't want to be a deadline player. I would have had to leave and go back to Toronto because my wife wasn't coming down with me, so I was moving into Carolina myself if I did that. The logistics of it and everything, it just didn't make sense."
It is easy to see why Marner opted to make this decision, even if it didn't benefit the Maple Leafs in the end.
While it might be difficult for some to hear that, it is absolutely the truth. At the end of the day, players need to do what is right for their family.
The Leafs did eventually trade Marner, but instead of Rantanen, they got Nicolas Roy. At least they ended up getting something.
Leafs fans will be able to see Marner at the Scotiabank Arena again on January 23rd, as he returns to the city as a member of the Golden Knights.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 30 | 186 ANSWERS Mitch Marner Explains Exactly Why He Refused a Trade to the Carolina Hurricanes Do you believe the Carolina Hurricanes would have been a better fit for Mitch Marner? | ||
| YES | 90 | 48.4 % |
| NO | 96 | 51.6 % |
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