Each Monday he will use his extensive network of hockey contacts for his weekly notes column, "Zizing 'Em Up.” TORONTO --The free agent spotlight has intensified on Mitch Marner after Mikko Rantanen signed an eight-year contract with the Dallas Stars on Friday.

Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs could be in jeopardy if any high-profile free agent decides to join the franchise next summer. One of the most coveted players, if he gets there, will be current Carolina Hurricanes forward Mikko Rantanen.

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs asked Mitch Marner if he wanted to go to Carolina after the Hurricanes asked about a Mikko Rantanen – Marner trade. He said he wanted to remain a Maple Leafs, but what impact will that have on contract extension talks this offseason?

Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner declined a trade that included Mikko Rantanen at the NHL trade deadline and gave his reaction.

On Monday, NHL analyst Carlo Colaiacovo discussed the trade rumors involving Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen. On the First Up podcast, Colaiacovo explained how the Carolina Hurricanes contacted the Toronto Maple Leafs to discuss a trade for Rantanen.

Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner could've gone to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday ahead of the NHL's trade deadline. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Hurricanes "initially asked" for Marner in return for the Rantanen, and although Toronto considered it, they'd rather try to sign Marner long-term.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently shared more details about a trade discussion involving Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen.

Brad Treliving finally broke the silence regarding the Mitch Marner/Mikko Rantanen saga, reiterating his faith in the Maple Leafs superstar winger. With the NHL Trade Deadline behind us, we nearly saw a wild deal involving Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen.

Former Maple Leafs winger and current analyst Colby Armstrong has suggested that a reunion between Mitch Marner and Kyle Dubas is very possible. Marner's future with the Leafs is very much in question with him being asked to waive his no-movement clause as the Leafs tried to acquire Mikko Rantanen late last week.

Mikko Rantanen is a member of the Stars. The Hurricanes went after him (possibly due to a misunderstanding) with the goal of signing him long-term in January, but a few weeks later, he’s in Dallas. The value is good for the

And once the Stars locked up Rantanen to a long-term deal, it locked in Marner as the top expiring contract in the league. The right-winger is a legitimate star, one of the top assist-men in the league, sitting on 21 goals and 58 assists on the season through Sunday. He's a top-level star alongside Auston Matthews.