OverDrive - Johnston on Marner's contract viewpoint, Rantanen's stance in Carolina and Tkachuk's injury concerns

Episode Date: February 24, 2025

TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the NHL, Mitch Marner's contract situation with the Maple Leafs, Toronto's trade deadline priorities, Mikko Rantanen's next steps in Carolina, the Bruins looking to retool their roster, Matthew Tkachuk's injury concerns in Florida and more.

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K-N-O-W-M-O-R-E.CA. A message from the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association. Here's Chris Johnston, our TSN hockey insider. CJ, in terms of Marner, how would you handicap the likelihood that something happens with the Leafs before June 30th? Well, you know, it's a tough one. I think a lot will hinge, obviously, on what happens between now and June 30th, how the playoffs look, how they feel. You know, I don't think, one thing that hasn't changed is I do believe the Leafs want to sign Mitch Marner.

I've got no reason to believe that Marner wants to leave, but you're kind of at this cross-section where, you know, we have the salary cap going up. I mean, this is a time of opportunity for players and, you know, making all that come together where both sides see the same way is probably a little more complex now than even it might have been had this been the scenario of the last couple of years. So, you know, I don't think that there's there's certainly nothing to suggest they're not going to be together, but the fact that we're getting closer and closer, you know, to the time when Marner can be a free agent. I mean, you can't ignore that possibility. And so, you know, if this ends up being a

really successful playoff run, if Mitch plays well, I think that the conditions might be there for the Leafs to, you know, open the books even wider, open the the wall a little more to try to, you know, open the books even wider, open the, the wall a little more to, to try to, you know, compel them to stay. Um, but you know, as it stands right now, I think that, that they're comfortable kind of, you know, just feeling their way through this because, you know, they can still offer an eighth year, which other teams can't. And, you know, this is the only place that Mitch is from, you know, obviously he's got big

tides to the organization. So I think there's still a, I think there's still a path here for them to make a deal, but it won't necessarily come in the next week or 10 days before the trade deadline. It might wait till after the last game's played this season. So CJ, do you not think that the Miko Rantinen situation, I know they seem completely different, but these are top tier players. Rantinen's been traded.

Now there's rumblings that maybe Carolina would be open to something different if they can't get it long term. Would there be any type of domino effect or is it just two separate players, two separate organizations, two separate situations based on no move clauses, all of that? No, I think if Rant if Brandon were to sign just for argument's sake let's say he takes a big deal in Carolina and there's another number up on the board I think that that would you know to some degree you know just be more ammo potentially for the martyr campaign depends where that number ends up. I mean you've had

Leon Dryside all you know sign a deal that you know surpassed the previous high that you know Matthews' deal that kicks in next season. So that's one up there. I mean, really, let's face it, player contracts are trending in an upward direction, especially if you're a guy at the top of the league. But where that lands Marner is tough to say. Is he at 12 million? Is he 12.5?

Is he exceeding what Matthews makes? I mean, I think that that's, it's in those details where there hasn't been an agreement struck just yet. And so, you know, the more the marketplace takes shape, I think that that could certainly influence, you know, how those contract negotiations go. And so it's not as if by any means am I suggesting that Marner is waiting for Rantan or the other way around, but you know, if you were to get one or both of those players siding, it does, it just gives you a little bit more of a guideline about the trend around the league and basically what Marner can ask for in the open market. Do you know what Marner's priority would be?

Would it be like what would be more important remaining a Maple Leaf or being the highest paid player on the roster? Well, I don't know that he set that as a parameter. I think, you know, like any player, he wants to be paid fairly and fair in this case is probably up for negotiation, right? It's up for, there's some subjectivity to that because obviously he's signing at a time when we know the salary caps due to blow past 100 million

within the life of his next deal. And so, you know, I do believe Mitch wants to be maple leaf. He said that repeatedly. I don't think anything has changed, even though obviously the business side of the sport right now is maybe creeping into his mind a little bit. I mean, as an impact at his performance on the ice, you know, right among the league's leading scorers this year, you know, fresh off that, you know, pretty a memorable final game for Canada, the four nations.

So, you know, it's Everything I'm seeing from him is he wants to be a leaf He's he's doing his part by performing and leaving everything to you know His agent and to the least to figure out where that number lands But you know, I don't think he's drawing any hard lines in the sand and says it has to be above this player this number Least not that I'm aware of and so, you know, we'll see how this goes. I, I still think, well, I believe of course, if he's willing to go this long, uh, and he's comfortable and he's still performing, there's nothing to suggest

that this won't go into the off season for the Leafs, but you know, ultimately the Leafs can offer him more money in the total package if they give them an eighth year, which I would expect they would. So, you know, there's still some negotiating to be done and perhaps in this case the best place to do that is once the final game is played this season. So CJ, explain this ranting and transaction for me because the only way I'm pulling the trigger on that move is if I've had conversations with the agent I know he's going to sign. You bring a guy in there,

you shock the hell out of him that he moved from Colorado and then you just toss it out, hey we got this deal for you, what do you think? And what if he's just like, I don't think so. Like what on earth are they doing with him? Well I do know for sure that they didn't make the deal with the agent knowing ahead of time or Miko Ratnan knowing ahead of time. Obviously it happened a month ago and here we are in this moment now. So let me ask, do you not think that that's bizarro world? It's unusual for how teams operate and I think Carolina is still banking on the fact that

he might want to stay there. It's such a, you know, it's, it's such a weird time though. He's played what seven games with the hurricanes. You know, he spent almost as much time with the hurricanes physically since the trade as he did with Finland at the four nations. It's, it's, it's a hard situation with any city, any team, like this isn't disparaging what they got going on in Carolina because that team's been, you know, a really strong team for a long time now, but it's hard to make that kind of big life decision so quickly. And you know, so we'll see how this all shakes out.

I don't think they have to have its signature on a contract by March 7th in order to keep him. But I suppose if he were to come to them and say, there's no way whatsoever I'm signing with the hurricanes and extension, I mean, then they'd be left in a really interesting spot before the trade deadline. But yeah, I mean, look, this is, this was a, a different kind of move. It was a big swing. I don't know that necessarily just because it started off, you know, a little, a little uncertain here. We're renting it out and put up the points yet. And obviously they're,

they're trying to have these contract discussions that haven't produced a new deal. You know, it doesn't mean it's going to end poorly, but yeah, this is not the way business is normally done with teams and big players. I think that's what made the trade rather so shocking there on January 24th. And here we are a month later and we're still processing the fallout and I think the Hurricanes are still working their way through where things go next. Well, if it becomes available, then I'm sure a lot of teams are going to call on them that are playoff bound.

What are they going to get back to say, you cancelled out Rantanen and you also cancelled out an HS and Drury walking out the door? I don't know, but Carolina's paying them what, $4.7 million or whatever it is? I think it was 50% retained. They'll use that cap space to do it all over again this summer. To me, something was up with Natures. I think that relationship was strained anyways. Don't you think that that was a pain in the ass?

Seemed that way, but if they can eat half a ranton it's deal And he's like two point five million on the second train between now and March 7th That'd be pretty fascinating but In terms of you know now that we've gotten through the four nations like we are rapidly approaching the trade deadline here It seems as if everyone's just conceded that the Leafs, they've got to have a third line center and you likely need some sort of help on the back end somewhere, whether it's depth or maybe four or five defensemen slotted in, so to speak. What is your understanding of how aggressive trade living's going to be and do you think it's just a foregone conclusion that he'll certainly swing and swing pretty

big? Well, I do think that those are still the areas they've identified and are focused on. I mean, unless there's some kind of unexpected injury or something that forces them to change course in the next 10 days, I would think you're looking primarily at the Leafs getting that center and then adding some kind of depth piece on the blue line. What they have to decide, and I don't think this decision has been made internally yet, is are we going for a player that's on an expiring deal, a rental player, or do we want to, if we're expending the assets, bring in someone who's under contract.

That's where you get into the Scott Lottons or Braden Schenn's or you know, some guys are on the league that, that, you know, their teams, I think are willing to move them, even though they've got years left on their deal. If, if you pony up, I mean, that that's probably, if they end up going one of those routes where they're bringing in a player that has some, some term left, that probably represents the bigger swing, I would think, because you know, obviously when you're getting rental players, by and large, the cost isn't as high, the risk is less because if it doesn't work out, I mean,

the player is most likely walking away anyway in a few months time. And so, you know, that that's kind of what I got my eye on with the Leafs is, is which direction of those two they pivot. Um, and it's crazy how quickly this has snuck up on us. I mean, as we sort of thought that nothing really happened during that Four Nations break when it came to NHL transactions and all of a sudden here we are on the other side of it and there hasn't been a meaningful trade made since February 1st. I mean, at some point there's going to be an explosion here and the Leafs are going to

be one of the teams wanting to be in the mix on figuring out, you know, what they can land. I don't think their objective that we've been talking about probably since November has changed in terms of the positional needs they have. Now it's about narrowing in and making a choice and ultimately consummating a deal or two. Let's hope that all happens on March 7th so we've got stuff to talk about. CJ, is there a team that you kind of maybe circled or been trying to stay in touch with that may make some noise that we're not really

focused on? I mean you know you look at the bottom of the standings and there's Seattle, there's Buffalo, there's Nashville, Chicago. You know is Pittsburgh a team that everybody's in play or you know somebody else is the Islanders, the Blues, where? Is there a surprise team or could be a surprise team that you think maybe will be all in or will be sellers? Well, certainly the Penguins, I think it's been clear are all out in a sense that other than the big guys that are going to have banners and then the rafters there that everyone else is kind of in,

in play to some degree, depending on, you know, what you're willing to offer. But you know, they're obviously got a bit of a for sale sign hanging out there. You know, the team I'm most curious about where it goes is Boston. You know, we've seen Don Sweeney speaking the last 24 hours here about trying to keep Brad Marsh and, but, but obviously, you know, they kind of are waving a white flag on the season to some degree you know injuries are a big issue have us one home likely done for the year Charlie McEvoy you know not clear when he'll be back but that doesn't seem like the expectation is it'll

be anytime soon and so you know how deep do they want to cut in I mean it's one thing to trade a Trent Frederick for example who's a pending UFA I think is basically gone other than finding out where he's going to. But are they willing to look at the Brandon Carlos, you know, if, if things don't go the right way with Marsha and in terms of the contract extension, would they consider moving him? I mean, I think that that's a team that has a pretty nice pieces, you know, depending on how much they're willing to sell.

And so, you know, I find them pretty interesting, but it's crazy right now. There's 10 teams that are on the wrong side of the playoff line that are within six points of a wild card spot in the two conferences. And so I think a lot of those, the teams in that group are a little undecided about which direction they're gonna go, meaning if it's a two or three game

winning streak, and between now and next week, they might change what they're going to do. And so maybe that ends up making it a slower deadline, and it's tough to say. But I still think there's a lot of business to be done, because a lot of teams out there in a situation like the Leafs that are trying to win the Cup, you know, are looking for upgrades, have the cap space, and are ready to make moves as soon as

more sellers shake free. Chris Johnston and you know we all debated what the Four Nations would look like and what happens if there's injuries in the fallout. Well now we're through it and I'm curious what you're hearing around the league from your reference McEvoy who's out long term for the Bruins and Matthew Kachuk. You know Paul Maurice did a radio interview this morning in Florida said he will play again this year. It's not a season ending injury, but it may take some time. Brady Kachuk didn't play the other day.

What are you hearing in terms of, you know, the status of some of these players and the fact that it looks like the American team in particular got hit the hardest? Yeah, I mean, it's a tough bounce. And then I think, look, there's a general understanding when you ask these guys to play at the level they played, you know, that there's going to be some injuries most likely. You know, some of those situations are unique. I mean, the Bruins didn't come out and say it, but I can tell you that the truth is, is they had some concerns about the way McEvoy's situation was handled.

He suffered his shoulder injury in their first game, took some kind of freezing shot, played in the second game against Canada, developed an infection along the way. I mean, they're not happy with how that was all handled, at least with Matthew Kachuck, Bill Zito was part of the USA management team. He's obviously his GM in Florida.

So there was sort of a, there was a complete visual, everyone that needed to be at the table making those decisions knew what was going on there. But I mean, it's an unfortunate reality of having these tournaments. I want to see them keep doing it, but it's, you know, it's some owners obviously, you know, it's, it's tough. I mean, the feeling around Matthew Kachuk is that, yeah, he might play again this season as Paul Murray said, I got no reason to doubt him there, but it, you know, that this is

a significant injury that it's one that, you know, could keep them out for a meaningful amount of time. And you know, maybe that's okay for Florida because I think they're, they're pretty safe when it comes to a playoff spot. But if he isn't in position to compete for them on the playoffs again, I mean, you're, you're certainly impacting their ability to try to make it to a third straight final. And so that's the delicate balance. The league's always watch walking. When you, when you're having these mid season breaks, it seems like they're

right now bending more towards doing them and living with the consequences. But you know, I can say there will be consequences if no one players go to the Olympics next year. I don't, I don't know who it's going to be obviously, but someone's going to get injured or a couple of guys are going to be injured. I mean, that's just the history of these tournaments and it shows how badly the players want to win and it is going to have some impact potentially on these playoff races. I mean Boston, they're in a really tough spot coming out of the break. They were touch and go to make it as it was. And you know losing McEvoy potentially for you know they're calling it week to week if it's multiple weeks. I mean you know maybe

by mid-March they're out of it before even even has a chance to skate or play again. I think it's an easy out for Boston to just say look Lindholm's out, McEvoy, it's just not our year, we've got to just do kind of a quick retool and maybe sell off some assets, try to sign some guys in the summer and go back at this. It's an easy out if they want to do it. Right, and it seems like they're inclined to go that way, I mean my sense is they're pretty realistic about where they're at. I mean, I don't know the exact number, but there was something like minus 25 goal differential.

I mean, I know that they're right in the race, but it's just it hasn't been their year from start to now. And you know, I think that with all the success they've had, you're right, it's easier there to retool than because the job, you know, why can't they become like a Washington or some of these teams that have bounced back pretty quickly and are competitive after not having much of a lull? Well, and when you compare that to the three teams currently ahead of them, either in the wild card or pursuing it, Detroit, Ottawa, Columbus, the three of them are so desperate

to make the playoffs. Ottawa hasn't been there in six or seven years, Detroit six or seven years, and Columbus has kind of been in and out over time, but obviously with everything, the tragedy of the summer and everything, the emotions hanging around that team and the fact that they're right there, I would assume the three of them, I mean they're gonna be going for it and I don't think they'll get crazy. You're not gonna trade first round picks or anything, I don't think, them, I mean, they're gonna be going for it and I don't think they'll get crazy. You're not gonna trade first round picks or anything, I don't think, just to get in. But you know what's coming from those teams and the players and the coaching staffs in

terms of their dogged mentality. Detroit, Ottawa, Columbus. Like they're gonna go all out down the stretch here. Yeah, and it's interesting. Columbus is a team we've had their players on trade bait list the whole year and they've just hung around. I mean I could see a world where they flip and even add you know again like you're saying within reason but that they're adding something to their lineup versus attracting because they've they've hung in it and you know

the players that are there that have done that job probably deserve that. Yeah, I think if you're Ottawa, you do have to. I would trade a first rounder for a guy who could make your team better now. They've got a young team. You look down the middle of the ice, 22, 23, 24. A first rounder to hold on to. Would you do it for an expiring car? For a rental? For a rental?

Or has it got to be a guy that's going to be? I think it's somebody that, yeah, maybe a little term on there that is gonna add to the depth of your group. Easier said than done, because who are those guys, right? Like, you know, who are the guys that are gonna help your group get over that hump? But I think when you're in that, as we talked about, the second layer of that Eastern Conference and you've got an opportunity to do it, this could be a year. You've got to get over the hump. You've got a captain that came back and got a taste of what it's really like to play at a high level there.

Brady, he was a man possessed. He wants to bring that back to the Senator. I think he got a first taste of, hey, this is what playoff hockey could be like that hockey was pretty good and and to me i think the the senators have to continue to try and add to that group and you know you kinda retooled your past the retool now you got it i think you've got a you spend those assets if you have a because you know you're growing your farm but yeah great but you've got to get to the next they got a concert

ticket now you play seven seven 57 games. You're there. You've got to get in. You've got to get in. Can you imagine Brady Kachak in a battle of Ontario? That would renew things, I think, pretty good if those teams played in the first round. Oh, big time, man. Big time. That would be incredible theater.

Yeah. Yeah. I think we're all rooting for that, but you've still got to get there. 25 games to go for the majority of these teams artsy jill even there thank you for this right guys have a good night chris johnston artisan hockey insider this February i-hear radio celebrates black history month

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