Major Update Regarding Potential Mikko Rantanen Trade, per Elliotte Friedman
The fate of star forward Mikko Rantanen and his uncertain future with the Carolina Hurricanes could all be decided in less than 48 hours.
The Carolina Hurricanes made a major splash when they traded for superstar forward Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche; they sent Jack Drury and Martin Necas back to the Rocky Mountains in return.
But Rantanen hasn't been the best of fits with Carolina thus far, and he hasn't made any progress with management on a new contract extension that would keep him in Raleigh long term.
According to NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman, the Hurricanes are exploring all options when it comes to Rantanen's future with the club - including entertaining the idea of another blockbuster trade:
Among the teams believed to be very interested are Toronto, Dallas and Los Angeles - although that's a ridiculously incomplete list.
Who wouldn't want him at a $2.3 million cap hit, if Carolina retained 50 per cent of Rantanen's salary. But, a trade return would be much better for the Hurricanes if Rantanen agreed to extend with a new team, something else everyone's trying to determine.
There are teams willing to step up in exchange for long-term security.
If Carolina does not like the offers, they can keep the winger and make a run. But they have opened the door and we will see where this goes.
Carolina Needs To Decide If Mikko Rantanen Fits Their Future
It's a very intriguing caveat to the entire Rantanen situation as Carolina can find themselves with a very good collection of assets if they decide that he's not the right fit.
They've given him time to get used to things in Carolina, and with time ticking down they could always ask Rantanen which teams he wants to extend with and try to make deals exclusively with them.
Obviously Carolina has to take an offer that suits their playoff run as well as finding themselves a couple of assets to either flip for another star at the deadline, or the 2025 Entry Draft.
If teams are serious about acquiring Rantanen, they're going to need to fill Carolina's pockets in order to do so. Is that worth the price? We'll see come Friday.
