Exclusive: No, a deal is not “close” between Mikko Rantanen and the Avalanche

When Patrik Laine, a client of agent Mike Liut, signed a two-year, $6.75 million AAV contract with the Winnipeg Jets this morning, it set off feverish speculation that a deal between another top Liut client, Mikko Rantanen was close at hand.

Wrong.