NHL Rumors: Colorado Avalanche, and the Philadelphia Flyers
Colorado Avalanche pending RFA Mikko Rantanen in line for a big raise.
Avs forward Mikko Rantanen could cash in big with another strong season

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Mikko Rantanen is in the final year of his entry-level deal with the Colorado Avalanche and is increasing his value with each passing game. Rantanen recorded 84 points last season and is off to a strong start again.

notes: “I mean, if Mitch Marner is worth $8-10 million a year on his second contract next summer, what if Rantanen outscores Marner for a second year in a row? What then? They’re not identical players with absolutely the same skill set, but still, it’s interesting to think about.”

TSN: Pierre LeBrun on Insider Trading on if there will be a contract extension for Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen soon.

“Well, the Avalanche would have liked to extend him this past summer but the message back from his agent Mike Liut my understanding was there’s no hurry. Liut is also the agent for Patrik Laine and he hasn’t signed an extension either in his last year of the entry-level deal. Liut, you saw it with Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues, you saw it with Leon Draisaitl of Edmonton, I think he believes in waiting until the entry-level deal is done to negotiate a new deal. We’ll see how that goes.”

The Flyers will need to make a decision on Simmonds

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds is a pending unrestricted free agent. Will the Flyers try to re-sign him, look to trade him if they are out of the playoffs, or risk losing for nothing after the season?

The sides held some talks this past offseason and they may need to make a decision soon than later.

The Flyers have some contracts coming up after this season and next, so they don’t want to back themselves into a too big of a hole.