All eyes are on the Carolina Hurricanes as they navigate their next steps with Mikko Rantanen. As documented by NHLTradeTalk.com, Rantanen was dealt from the Colorado Avalanche to the Hurricanes in a three-team trade.
A major factor in his departure from Colorado was stalled contract negotiations. Rantanen had been seeking $14 million per season, similar to the deal Leon Draisaitl secured with the Edmonton Oilers last summer.
However, Colorado was unwilling to meet that number, as they did not want to pay him more than Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million salary, especially with Cale Makar’s contract extension looming. While Rantanen was open to waiting until the offseason to resume negotiations, the Avalanche took a different route. Instead of waiting, they moved him to Carolina via Chicago, clearing cap space and acquiring Martin Necas and Jack Drury in return.
Now, Rantanen’s new team finds itself in a similar situation. The Hurricanes must negotiate with a pending unrestricted free agent, and familiar trade rumors are beginning to surface once again. Speculation suggests that if Carolina cannot reach an agreement with Rantanen by March 7, they may explore trading him.
How Long Will the Hurricanes Wait on Rantanen?
Recently, NHLTradeTalk.com, citing Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, reported that the Hurricanes met with Mikko Rantanen and his representatives, presenting him with a significant offer. Negotiations are ongoing as Rantanen carefully considers his options, but Carolina is prepared to wait beyond the March 7 deadline to finalize a deal.
New details have surfaced regarding the specifics of the Hurricanes’ offer to Rantanen.
During the first intermission of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Blackhawks game on ESPN+ and Hulu, ESPN Hockey Analyst and Insider Kevin Weekes provided an update. He revealed that Carolina extended an offer exceeding $13 million to Rantanen’s camp.
“There’s certainly a lot happening,” Weekes said. “From speaking with those involved, I can confirm that the Hurricanes took lessons from last year’s trade for Jake Guentzel, who was the top name at the deadline. This time, they made a major move by acquiring Rantanen, and both GM Eric Tulsky and owner Tom Dundon have learned from past experiences.”
Is $13 Million Per Season Enough to Get This Done?
Weekes emphasized that the Hurricanes were prepared to make their best offer, stating, “We’re coming with an aggressive offer. I’m told that number is north of $13 million, somewhere in the $13-$14 million range.”
That figure aligns with what Mikko Rantanen has been seeking all along. However, he finds himself in a challenging position as he works to regain the form he had in Colorado before being traded. Rantanen wants to feel fully comfortable before committing to a long-term deal with Carolina.
Despite this, there is optimism that both sides can reach a fair agreement.
Weekes added:
“It’s a tough situation right now, and I’ll say this quickly, Arda. There’s been a lot for him to process in a short time—adjusting to a new team, settling in, and considering a contract extension. It’s a lot to handle, similar to what happened with Rod Brind’Amour when he was traded from Philadelphia to Carolina. It takes time to acclimate, but I truly believe both sides will keep working at it. Let’s see if they can find common ground.”
The outcome of these negotiations will be closely watched. Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky made a significant move by acquiring Rantanen, parting with a future star in Martin Necas to land one of the NHL’s top 10 players. The fact that ownership is willing to spend big to retain him signals a shift in perception about the Hurricanes’ commitment to building a contender.
If Carolina manages to secure Rantanen on a long-term deal, it could mark a turning point in how the franchise and its ownership are viewed across the league.
Leave a Reply