The Edmonton Oilers were revealed to have pursued Mikko Rantanen on Friday (Mar. 7) as the trade deadline neared and were far down the line on a potential contract extension considering he had interest in a long-term agreement with the Oilers. However, the Dallas Stars were able to get a trade done when the Oilers couldn’t match the assets, and they were able to bring him in, trading four draft picks and Logan Stankoven. Unfortunately, the Oilers weren’t able to get anything done on deadline day after reportedly pivoting to other options, but that may not be the end of their pursuit. A chance to bring in a superstar like Rantanen shows the Oilers are willing to spend big to improve their roster, and another superstar forward might be available this offseason.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and pending unrestricted free agent Mitchell Marner haven’t agreed to a contract extension, and it seems as though Marner could hit the open market looking for a monster contract. Rantanen signed a $12 million AAV extension on his new deal with the Stars, and Marner’s next deal could come in higher than that. If the reports that came out after the 2025 Trade Deadline are accurate, the Oilers’ extension offer to Rantanen was higher than what the Stars offered him, making it clear they’re willing to take a swing.
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Marner, who is 27 years old, has scored 21 goals and added 58 assists for 79 points through 62 games this season. Throughout his career, he has scored 215 goals and added 503 assists for 718 points through 638 games which comes out to a 1.13 points-per-game average. If the Oilers can somehow make it work, pursuing Marner should be at the top of their to-do list heading into the next offseason. He would add offensive firepower alongside two of the NHL’s best players in the league, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and would likely place the Oilers as betting favourites for the Stanley Cup in the 2025-26 season.
Marner Addition Could Make Oilers Deepest Team in the NHL
The Oilers have been criticized in the past for their lack of depth both at forward and on the blue line, but that has changed in recent seasons. Bringing in strong depth players like Connor Brown, Mattias Janmark, Ty Emberson, and Vasily Podkolzin to help fill out their roster and spread firepower throughout their lineup has helped them earn a reputation for having one of the deepest rosters in the NHL. Adding Marner would guarantee that the Oilers have the best depth in the NHL, and he could be the guy that gets them over the hump and helps them win their first Stanley Cup since 1990.
The first thing people will criticize about a potential Marner fit with the Oilers is his playoff performances since fans recall his popular delay-of-game penalty he took that cost the Maple Leafs a game. However, taking a look at his postseason stats, there is no reason to doubt his ability to perform in the playoffs. Through 57 games in the playoffs, Marner has scored 11 goals and added 39 assists for 50 points, which comes out to a 0.88 points-per-game average. Needless to say, he isn’t the reason the Maple Leafs’ Stanley Cup drought hasn’t ended during his time there.
Either way, Marner would be a welcomed addition to the Oilers as they look to start making a push for a championship. They came up just short last season and seem poised to make a run this season, but will also focus on being able to contend again next season. Hopefully, the Rantanen pursuit is an indication of what’s to come in the offseason, which should be trying to sign Marner.
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