Potential Rantanen Trade Report Creates Wave of Speculation

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk  |  By Spencer Lazary  |  Last updated Jan 11, 2025 9:16 PM ET

According to a report from TVA Sports journalist Renaud Lavoie, he has suggested that the Colorado Avalanche may end up trading their star forward Mikko Rantanen. The trade would come if the two sides cannot reach an agreement on a new contract.

Lavoie’s Report

As wild as it sounds that the Avalanche would even entertain the idea, Lavoie’s report makes some sense. His comments have caught the internet by storm. Per @DcalabrettaTFP of Full Press Hockey, he said:

“If Colorado cannot extend Rantanen, they will trade him.”

There are so many fan bases imagining their teams acquiring Rantanen. He has the skill level to change the entire outlook of an organization. However, the teams interested will need to either give up a superstar player in return or a few very highly talented players.

Could the Avalanche Really Trade Rantanen?

Technically, anything is possible; however, it is extremely unlikely to happen. The reason it’s even a story is because of his contract situation. A pending UFA who is already making $9.25 million per season, the talk is that he wants a significant raise.

Rantanen is one of the team’s best players, and typically, players like him don’t get traded. It likely would only happen if the Avalanche said they’re not prepared to pay his ask or he communicates a refusal to re-sign with the team. Otherwise, they will likely push off the extension talks until the offseason.

Keep for the Playoffs or Risk Losing For No Return?

The Avalanche are one of the better teams in the NHL. If Rantanen is unwilling to re-sign at this point in the season, it logically wouldn’t make sense for them to turn around and trade him. It would make more sense for them to keep him as a rental, and if he walks in free agency, then look to replace him.

Then again, anything can happen if the Avs fall out of a playoff spot — they currently hold the first wild card position in the Western Conference.

With less than two months until the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline, keep an eye on Rantanen. If this turns into something, he will end up at the top of every NHL website’s trade bait board. If he hits the open market, numerous teams will be preparing to back up the Brinks truck to get him to sign with their organization.