NHL News
Report: Mikko Rantanen Could End up Back in Western Conference
The Mikko Rantanen trade rumors won’t go away.
It’s been almost six weeks since the Avalanche shocked the hockey world by shipping Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in a deal involving Martin Necas and Jack Drury. Rantanen was supposed to — and still could — be the missing link for Rod Brind’Amours club to get over the hump in the playoffs.
But after a slow start with his new team and an unwillingness to sign a contract extension before Friday’s deadline, Rantanen found himself back in the trade rumor mill.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Wednesday evening that Carolina canvassed the league to gauge interest in the two-time 100-point performer. Among the teams he listed as interested parties are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, and Los Angeles Kings.
He noted that there are more than likely others who are interested.
The Leafs are in the east, but a Rantanen trade back to the West could lead to a series against the Avs this spring. Especially if it’s the Stars who end up acquiring him. There’s a big chance Colorado and Dallas could face each other in the first round, whether it’s as the No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup or if the Avs remain in a wildcard seed and the Stars catch Winnipeg for tops in the Central Division.
Rantanen has two goals and four assists in 12 games since the trade. His struggles are in part because he hasn’t yet adjusted to a new system and because his ice-time has dropped nearly three minutes per game. It also doesn’t help that he had spent the majority of his NHL career playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
Not having those guys anymore is an adjustment in itself.
The Hurricanes are trying to lock up Rantanen to a max-term deal and made an offer in February for upwards of $100 million. While he hasn’t denied interest in signing in the future, Rantanen reportedly told the Canes that he’s not yet ready to commit.
It’s well documented that the trade caught him by surprise and committing to another team isn’t yet something he’s ready to do.
The trade deadline is at 1 p.m. MT on Friday. Carolina could still choose to keep him and make a run with hopes of signing him before July 1. But this is still something worth keeping an eye on as we inch closer to the deadline.
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Lol
Good news! You will be able to see Rantanen play more often.
Yeah..great news if he ends up on Dallas or better yet Vegas. Or maybe even the Oilers! Because at half retention basically any team is in play. I’m sure then you & CMac will feel real smart then!
I will admit that if the trade had this somewhat unforeseen consequence then maybe we should have kept him.
As much as I bag on MacFarland. It’d be tough for me to even suggest he could’ve seen this potential outcome.
But he was a pending UFA. So you know they had conversations about what if in the off -season he signs with a team out West?
I’m not looking re – ignite the debate over that trade. I just will always feel it just made a lot more sense & would’ve alleviated a lot more potential problems to just figure out a way to have paid him.
If Rantanen was still playing for the Avalanche, there’s no indication that Necas wouldn’t have been traded to a Western Conference team. I’d rather face Rantanen than face Necas. Rantanen is more of a one-dimensional player. Necas has more tools in its toolbox.
This is the single worst take I’ve ever read. Rantanen is a 100 plus pt player in the postseason over roughly 80 career playoff games.
Go look at Necas playoff numbers & if you still feel that way. I want whatever you’re on.
You have to understand that Rantanen’s production depends a lot on his center. Mackinnon and Makar accounted for the vast majority of Rantanen’s points. Do you know Mackinnon and Makar? Some people like to say that the Carolina system is not favorable to Rantanen. Tomorrow morning, if Mackinnon and Makar play for Carolina, do you really think Mackinnon and Makar’s production will be affected? Talent cannot be bought. No coach will tell a player not to score goals. Whether it was in the season or in the playoffs, Rantanen’s production was totally skewed by the fact that he was playing… Read more »
I’m not even dignifying this with much of a response. It’s a silly argument to make that Rantanen’s production is predicated off of MacKinnon & Makar. Did it help? Of course..who wouldn’t benefit from playing with those two? It’s benefited Necas greatly as well. There’s just no justification for this argument yet. Rantanen has played 12 games in Carolina…12. And people want to act as if he’s drowning. He’s got 6 pts in 12 games. Is that spectacular, no. But it’s hardly terrible. You can prefer Necas & his overall game to Rantanen if you’d like. He’s definitely a better… Read more »
Lets not forget how many games mackinnon missed the year that rantanen potted 55 goals. He was the centerpiece of the team for large stretches that year. Sure, makar was on the ice for some of them, but Mikko was dominant regardless of what D pair was playing. His only help for much of that time was Evan Rodrigues.
To imply that he was dependant on #29 and #8 to be a top tier player is ludicrous.
Rantanen currently ranks 134th among NHL forwards in points per 60 minutes played at 5 vs. 5 with minimum 40 played games. Necas was averaging more than a point per game with Carolina before arriving in Denver. You clearly undervalue Mackinnon and Makar. I would easily take 50 NHL forwards before Rantanen. It takes people like you. Otherwise MacFarland would not have received as much for Rantanen.
Mackinnon and Makar were involved in 70% of the points Rantanen collected and you think that’s stupid? You must also find it stupid that almost 20% of the points collected by Rantanen this year are linked to goals scored into an empty net…
I know this sounds crazy but I have a feeling Rantanen will sign as a free agent with the AVSโฆ
There is a chance if he does not let himself be manipulated by his agent.
Rumor is avs have heavy interest in Nelson and carlo. Lets see what gets it done
So happy that Mikko and his trade circus are no longer in DEN. Good riddance.
And the circus is getting bigger and bigger with the comments coming from all sides: – Remember what happened to Huberdeau without Barkov? Is this the real Rantanen without Mackinnon? – 14 M for a guy who we wonder if it’s the Rantanen we see in Carolina at 0.5 points per game or a guy at 1.3 points per game… It’s quite a gamble. – I hope Hughes doesn’t fall for it with Rantanen. Clearly he is aiming for the 14M close .. he refused 12.5 and it’s already too expensive – I take out my popcorn and I’m waiting… Read more »
For the skeptics who still believe MacFarland made a bad decision in trading Rantanen… According to Pierre Lebrun, Rantanen and his agent have told the Hurricanes that they are not ready to make a decision on the contract offer before the trade deadline. Very glad this circus isn’t taking place in Denver. I wouldn’t like to be in the boots of the Carolina GM right now.
The Canes GM must be having heart palpitations after they let Guentzel walk last year. Rantanen is going to free agency. Whether they trade him before the deadline or gamble and try to sign him this summer it’s such a bad look for the organization. Maybe the GM has a GoFundMe page so he can up their offer or he’s personally driving him around to look at real estate :). How in the world do they let him leave after this?
Anywhere but Edmonton please!
Rantanen wouldn’t be much of a threat in Edmonton. Draisaitl plays the same spot as Rantanen on the power play. The 2 players will not be able to make the one-timer on the same side of the ice. Rantanen is not a big threat at 5 vs 5. For points collected for empty-net goals, it will be fewer points for McDavid and Draisaitl.