Carolina Hurricanes forward Mikko Rantanen is set to reach free agency on July 1 barring an agreement on a contract extension before that date.
Among the potential suitors expected to aggressively chase Rantanen, some teams are starting to emerge as bona fide candidates to make as many significant roster changes as needed to accommodate Rantanen's contract demands coming off a six-year, $55.5 million deal.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, discussing the possibility on NHL Network Radio on Wednesday, said franchises like the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs could be among those making a serious push.
“Teams will make room for this guy,” Friedman said. “If they have a feeling that he’s going to come to them — the New York Rangers, Toronto — it won’t just be the teams with a lot of cap room.
"It’ll be teams (saying), like, ‘OK, if I have to move a mountain to get Mikko Rantanen, we’re going to try to do it.’”
While rebuilding franchises like the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks have the cap space to offer Rantanen a lucrative deal, contenders such as the Rangers and Leafs may have to make major roster moves to create space.
On the other hand, the appeal of joining a ready-to-contend franchise should also be a factor impacting Rantanen's decision as he enters his prime at just 28 years old.
In the case of Toronto, the Maple Leafs already face critical decisions regarding upcoming free agents Mitch Marner and John Tavares with both players currently earning nearly $11 million per year.
Meanwhile, New York has already started to reshuffle its roster, trading former captain Jacob Trouba in December and acquiring forward J.T. Miller ahead of the trade deadline.
Carolina Hurricanes right winger Mikko Rantanen skates against the New York Islanders.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Carolina acquired Rantanen from Colorado in a trade last month, but if no extension is reached before the March 7 trade deadline, the Hurricanes may look to flip him once again.
The Hurricanes risk losing a top player for the second consecutive year after they acquired Jake Guentzel at the deadline last season, only for him to sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the summer.
