Controversial Reporter Unveils Who Leaked Mitch Marner Trade Deadline Talks

Mitch Marner was a potential trade chip a couple of weeks ago as the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes.

The team approached their superstar forward about waiving his no-trade clause, however, he refused as it seems like he wants to remain in Toronto.

Just a couple of days later, this information was leaked to the media and it has created quite the stir in the media and online among Leafs fans.

In the aftermath of the initial reports, many were interested in who could have possibly leaked all of the information.

Now, Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun has the scoop and surprisingly, it was not the Maple Leafs who decided to tell the world about the potential deal.

Instead, it was actually the Carolina Hurricanes who did it as they have a rooting interest in the decay of the relationship between Marner and the Maple Leafs.

It has been reported that the Hurricanes plan to pursue the superstar in free agency, which should not be a surprise to anyone paying attention.

Mitch Marner is commanding a contract that could be worth $14 million per season and with the Hurricanes boasting $36 million in cap space, they have the resources to make it happen.

With 82 points in 66 games, the Leafs winger is having one of the best seasons of his career and his stock could not be any higher.

While the Maple Leafs do plan on trying to retain him, the price could simply get too high by the time free agency comes around. Not to mention, the Leafs do want to take a wait and see approach especially with the playoffs around the corner.

Either way, this is a situation that has gotten a bit messy and one has to wonder what happens next.

It's not fun for anyone, and the Leafs would much rather just keep Marner for themselves over the long haul.