NHL RumorsNHL RumorsNHL Rumors
  • Rumors
  • NHL Trades
    • 2024-25 NHL Trade Tracker
    • Trade Articles
    • 2023-24 NHL Trade Tracker
  • Video
  • Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Utah Hockey Club
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Contact
  • FAQ
Font ResizerAa
NHL RumorsNHL Rumors
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
NHL Rumors

NHL Rumors: Can the Carolina Hurricanes Sign Mikko Rantanen?

Jim Biringer 01/26/2025
5 Min Read
With the Colorado Avalanche sending Mikko Rantanen to Carolina it is now on the Hurricanes to get him signed to an extension.
Jan 25, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) skates with the puck against New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
SHARE

The Colorado Avalanche were at an impasse with Mikko Rantanen in terms of getting a contract done. There were talks at the beginning of the season as the unrestricted free agent was eligible to sign a new contract on July 1st, 2024. While many expected Rantanen to sign with the Avalanche, things took a turn right before the season.

NHL Rumors: J.T. Miller, Brock Nelson, And More

Once Leon Draisaitl signed with the Edmonton Oilers at a $14 million salary cap hit, that became the benchmark for the Rantanen camp. This was the hill his side was not budging from. Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland wanted to keep Rantanen under Nathan MacKinnon‘s $12.6 million AAV, as they had Cale Makar and other players to sign. MacFarland did not want to mess up his salary cap situation.

Not to mention, he knew that his team was not deep enough to win.

“It’s clear, we’re not deep enough. And I think that you’ve gotta be deep to go four rounds, and hopefully this is gonna help that. Obviously Mikko, he’s a superstar. You can’t replace that. But again, he’s a superstar that earned the right to be a free agent”

– Chris MacFarland

— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) January 25, 2025

Thus, MacFarland decided to trade him to the Carolina Hurricanes despite conflicting reports about whether Colorado and the Rananten camp actually engaged in trade talks.

Mikko Rantanen was completely caught off guard by the trade and was very upset. Colorado showed very little to no interest in attempting to re-sign him over the last several months. This was a panic move by Colorado.

— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) January 25, 2025

Rantanen was willing to continue negotiating throughout the season with Colorado. In fact, both sides had more contract talks this past week. Just couldn’t find enough common ground. The Avs, in the end, made the calculation they were never going to get there on a number…

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 25, 2025

Now it is on Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky to re-sign Rantanen. That will be the number one priority for the Canes heading into the March 7th deadline. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was on NHL Network discussing the Mikko Rantanen trade and said it was on Carolina to get a deal done now.

“I think one of the key factors here is that there is not an extension as part of this trade for Rantanen and the Hurricanes, but the Hurricanes now have until the March 7 trade deadline to see if they can convince Rantanen to sign,” Friedman said. “One of Rantanen’s good buddies is Sebastian Aho of the hurricanes, and I have no doubt that Aho was going to lead the lobbying efforts to see if Rantanen will sign.”

NHL Rumors: Fallout From the Mikko Rantanen Trade to the Hurricanes

Mikko Rantanen and Sebastian Aho will play on Team Finland for the Four Nations Faceoff. You expect Aho to see if he can convince him to stay. But every free agent has the right to go to market. This is another risk the Hurricanes are taking after trading for Jake Guentzel last year at the deadline.

The Hurricanes will have cap space next season to make things work with Rantanen. The key will be whether Tulsky can convince his owner, Tom Dundon, to spend the money. We know how much of a stickler he is for giving out long-term, high-dollar-amount contracts.

The next priority for the Carolina Hurricanes is to get Mikko Rantanen signed.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s new and we’re just getting started. Rumor roundups and hot topics from around the league. 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Carolina HurricanesMikko Rantanen

Offer Sheet Compensation

<$1.54M no comp
$1.54M – $2.34M: 3rd
$2.34M – $4.68M: 2nd
$4.68M – $7.02M: 1st, 3rd
$7.02M – $9.36M: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
$9.36M – $11.7M: 1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
$11.7M+: 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st,

2024-25 Critical Dates

June 1-7: NHL Scouting Combine (Buffalo, NY)
June 20th: Last possible day for the Stanley Cup Final
June 27th-28th: 2025 NHL Draft
July 1st: Start of free agency

NHL Rumors to your inbox.

NHLrumors Logo

Categories

  • Rumors

Information

  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking NHL News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.