Avalanche still trying to get Rantanen long-term
Adrian Dater: The Colorado Avalanche have made it clear to that they view Brayden Point‘s $6.75 million AAV as a definite comparable for Mikko Rantanen. Believe that any hope Rantanen was having of getting his AAV over $9 million are likely over.
Adrian Dater: Even with the Point and Matthew Tkachuk signing bridge deal, the Avalanche are pushing hard to do a long-term deal with Rantanen. They don’t really want to have Rantanen, Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog all having to be re-signed around the same time for their next deals. Coming up with an agreeable number for Rantanen is an issue.
And now there are three
TSN: There are now three remaining restricted free agents – Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor and Mikko Rantanen.
Pierre LeBrun: The Winnipeg Jets and Laine’s camp have spoken this week. The Colorado Avalanche and Rantanen have also spoken.
“So that is the positive. The negative is they haven’t closed the gap just yet. I believe the Jets recently offered a two-year deal, yes, a two-year bridge deal at around $6 million a year. My sense is that the Laine camp led by Mike Liut would rather be north of $7 million a year on a two-year bridge. So, still a gap right there.
When it comes to Rantanen, they’ve been focused on a long-term deal. I think the Avs, earlier this month, were willing to do an $8.5 million a year. It’s going to have to start, I think, with a nine for Rantanen to sign a seven-year deal and I suspect it will get done over the next couple of days. “
Bob McKenzie: The Jets and Kyle Connor’s camp continue to talk and they are probably looking to get a six-year contract done.
“That’s suitable for both sides, but they’ve obviously not been able to agree on the money just yet. As of right now, not close is the word with negotiations between Kyle Connor and the Winnipeg Jets.
Connor, as we mentioned the other day, might consider a four-year deal, much like Timmo Meier’s deal with the San Jose Sharks. But there doesn’t seem to be a strong appetite from Winnipeg’s side to go at the four-year deal. So, we’ll see if they can consummate that six-year marriage.”