5 NHL Trade Landing Spots for Hurricanes Winger Mikko Rantanen
Lyle RichardsonFeb 14, 2025
On Jan. 24, the Colorado Avalanche shipped Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes as part of a multi-player, three-team blockbuster trade.
It was a stunning move rarely seen in the NHL's salary-cap era. Rantanen is a bona fide NHL superstar coming off two straight 100-plus point seasons. He was crucial to the Avalanche's rise to becoming a Stanley Cup champion in 2022.
Rantanen is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July and is due for a substantial raise over his current average annual value of $9.3 million. The Avalanche reluctantly decided to ship the 28-year-old to Carolina rather than risk losing him for nothing to free agency.
Acquiring Rantanen seemingly improved the Hurricanes' odds of winning the Stanley Cup, but he's struggled to adjust to his new club, tallying two points in six games since the trade. Nevertheless, it was expected that the Hurricanes would work on signing him to a contract extension.
However, on Feb. 7, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos had Rantanen at the top of his updated trade board, claiming Carolina was no closer to signing him than Colorado. He indicated the Hurricanes were prepared to make offers to entice Rantanen but those closely watching the situation believe they will fall short.
Kypreos believes the Hurricanes can't afford to lose Rantanen to free agency after giving up Martin Necas, Jack Drury and two draft picks to get him. They also don't want a repeat of last year's situation with Jake Guentzel, when they were forced to trade him before free agency opened last year when he decided to test the market.
Carolina carries half of Rantanen's cap hit ($4.63 million), which could make it easier to move him at the trade deadline, especially if they agree to retain up to half of it. However, finding suitable trade partners could be challenging as the Hurricanes will be on the clock to move him before the March 7 trade deadline.
Here's a look at five possible landing spots for Rantanen (assuming they're not on his nine-team no-trade list) and what it might cost to get each deal done.
Dallas Stars1 of 5
The Dallas Stars used their cap space from having Tyler Seguin on long-term injury reserve to acquire center Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks. With $5.5 million in cap space remaining, they might not be finished making additions before the trade deadline.
Dallas could use that space to add another defenseman with Miro Heiskanen out indefinitely recovering from knee surgery. However, they might be willing to add another scoring winger if they feel confident that Heiskanen will return before the playoffs
After being eliminated from the last two Western Conference Finals, Rantanen could be the missing piece of the Stanley Cup puzzle for the Stars. He'd provide an extra measure of offense among their top-six forwards that already feature Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, and Matt Duchene.
The Stars have sufficient cap room to absorb the remainder of the Hurricanes' share of Rantanen's cap hit. However, they lack picks in the first two rounds of this year's draft, so they'd have to draw on next year's as part of the return. This deal could also cost them a promising young forward like Logan Stankoven or Mavrik Bourque.
Edmonton Oilers2 of 5
On Feb. 11, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal cited insiders Brian Lawton and Craig MacTavish saying they believed the Edmonton Oilers' biggest need at the trade deadline is a defenseman. Former NHL winger Rob Brown disagreed, saying he felt they required a top scoring winger.
Brown didn't mention Rantanen, but he would more than fill that need. Three days earlier, Staples noted the Hurricanes winger could become available, though he doubted the Oilers would have the assets required to land him. Nevertheless, he suggested they might have a chance if the Hurricanes move him as a rental player.
Staples proposed the Oilers could offer up sidelined winger Evander Kane, winger Jeff Skinner (if he wanted to move) and a prospect.
He thinks Kane could have value to the Hurricanes if he didn't return until the playoffs. That would leave him and his $5.1 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve, enabling them to use the savings to pursue another player before the trade deadline.
In that scenario, the Oilers would only need to move Kane to free up enough cap room to take on the Hurricanes share of Rantanen's cap hit. Putting him at right wing alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl would give the Oilers two powerful scoring lines that could be almost unstoppable in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Kings3 of 5
Sitting third in the Pacific Division with 63 points when the league paused for the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Los Angeles Kings must bolster their offense before the trade deadline. They're 20th in goals-per-game average (2.83) while their power-play percentage (14.6) sits 29th overall.
Adding a scoring superstar such as Mikko Rantanen, alongside playmaking captain Anze Kopitar or rising young center Quinton Byfield, should immediately boost the Kings' production. His playoff experience would also help them overcome their recent difficulties in advancing past the opening round of the playoffs.
With $4.5 million in projected trade deadline cap space, the Kings could squeeze the remainder of Carolina's share of his cap hit into their payroll. They could also send out a salaried player to the Hurricanes in the deal or ask them to retain part of Rantanen's cap hit, though that could raise their asking price.
The move could cost the Kings their 2025 first-rounder, leaving them without picks in the first two rounds of this year's draft. It could also cost them a top prospect such as Liam Greentree as part of the deal.
New Jersey Devils4 of 5
On Feb. 7, Adam Proteau of The Hockey News examined the New Jersey Devils' need for more offense. He cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, who noted their attempt to sign Brandon Saad, their interest in Colorado Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt, and their rumored interest in J.T. Miller before his trade to the New York Rangers.
The Devils possess notable scorers like Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier. Nevertheless, Proteau observed they generated two goals or fewer in 10 of their past 12 losses. They also sit in the middle of the pack offensively with a goals-per-game average of 3.05.
Acquiring Mikko Rantanen could significantly boost their production. It would provide them with an additional measure of experienced regular-season and playoff offense that could carry them deep into the postseason.
With $5.6 million in projected trade deadline cap space, the Devils could afford the remainder of Rantanen's cap hit, though they could ask the Hurricanes to retain part of it. They could offer forward Dawson Mercer and his $4 million cap hit through 2026-27 as part of the return to free up cap space to re-sign him if he proved to be a good fit within their lineup.
Vegas Golden Knights5 of 5
The Vegas Golden Knights have a well-earned reputation for making trades that surprise the hockey world. They're the type of team that could get into the bidding for Mikko Rantanen if he becomes available before March 7.
A lack of secondary scoring is the Golden Knights' primary need. They could also use some help at center, especially if William Karlsson ends up sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. However, the opportunity to pursue a superstar like Rantanen, even as a rental, could prove irresistible.
The Golden Knights have $3.5 million in projected trade deadline cap space, meaning they'd likely try to get the Hurricanes to retain salary, perhaps in a three-team swap. They also don't have much trade capital, having traded away their 2025 and 2026 first-rounders while their prospect pool remains shallow.
Acquiring Rantanen appears to be a long shot for the Golden Knights. Nevertheless, history has shown us never to bet against them whenever notable talent becomes available in the trade market. Management has gotten creative before to get what they wanted and could do it again with Rantanen.
Stats (as of Feb. 13, 2025) via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia. Line combinations via Daily Faceoff.
