Before the Carolina Hurricanes traded Mikko Rantanen to the Dallas Stars, they apparently had conversations with the Toronto Maple Leafs surrounding winger Mitch Marner.

DENVER — Mitch Marner addressed reports the Toronto Maple Leafs asked the star winger to waive his no-movement clause and accept a trade to the Carolina Hurricanes, indicating he wasn’t surprised and that he “had a feeling something might happen.”

All things considered, the Hurricanes' decision to trade Rantanen out of the Eastern Conference underscores two facts: their belief that Toronto is a legitimate playoff threat and their trust in their chances of making the postseason and, possibly, facing the Maple Leafs this spring.