Just days after being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in a stunning midseason move, Mikko Rantanen has opened up about what happened behind the curtain and how surprised he was at the move pulled off by the Colorado Avalanche.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Peter Baugh on Monday, Rantanen shared his thoughts on the trade, his contract talks with the Avalanche and his new chapter in Carolina.
Most interestingly, Rantanen confirmed that he was "ready to take a significant discount" to stay in Colorado, as initially reported by Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
“I was ready to take a significant discount from my market value,” Rantanen said. “We had some chats a couple days before and then they traded me. That’s what happened. That’s why I didn’t expect it.”
Former Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96).
Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
The Avalanche dealt Rantanen to Carolina on Friday, receiving Martin Necas, Jack Drury and draft picks in return. Colorado promptly lost to the Bruins in the Avs' first game without the winger in their lineup.
Rantanen said that he "had a sniff that something might be happening" after Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland gave him a phone call while at a hotel in Boston.
“I only had a sniff because he called me, not before that,” Rantanen said. “I had no idea. It’s surprising, for sure.”
With Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million cap hit and Cale Makar’s future extension looming, the Avalanche faced tough financial decisions and ultimately decided to trade Rantanen ahead of the deadline instead of risking losing him for nothing next July.
MacFarland explained his thought process before the 3-1 loss to the Bruins, as reported by ESPN.
"You feel that you do what’s best for the logo and best for the team," MacFarland said. "It hurts, but you’ve got to make these hard decisions."
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Mikko Rantanen (96).
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
While Rantanen declined to disclose specific figures regarding his negotiations with the Avs, he acknowledged the team’s business considerations.
“I didn’t know we were in a rush,” Rantanen said. “But it’s business, and I understand. They’re trying to think what’s best for them.”
