The Carolina Hurricanes are at a crossroads with their latest high-profile acquisition, Mikko Rantanen. With contract extension talks yet to gain traction, NHL insider Nick Kypreos suggests that Carolina may have no choice but to explore trade options before the March 7 deadline.
The Hurricanes have been burned before. Just last season, they gave up significant assets for Jake Guentzel at the trade deadline, only to see him walk away in free agency. This time, team owner Tom Dundon is determined to avoid a repeat scenario.
“As of this week, there’s no significant talks about Rantanen signing in Carolina just yet,” Kypreos noted. “It’s gonna take a big number to lock this guy down.”
The cost to acquire Rantanen was steep—Carolina parted ways with young talent Martin Nečas and two draft picks. If the team fails to sign him long-term, it would be a massive setback for the franchise.
The Price Tag: Rantanen Seeking a Draisaitl-Level Deal
Rantanen, currently in the final year of his six-year, $55.5 million contract, is expected to demand a contract in the range of Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV. That kind of financial commitment is a serious decision for any team, and the Hurricanes are carefully weighing their options.
“They’re going to offer him maybe $100 million. Somewhere around there, but they’re going to beat $98 million,” Sports Illustrated quoted insider Elliotte Friedman as saying. “My guess is they try to keep the AAV around $13 million, maybe a bit less.”
The Hurricanes do have one advantage: they can offer an eight-year deal, whereas other teams in free agency can only go up to seven years. This could make a lower AAV more palatable for Rantanen, but there’s no guarantee he’ll bite.
The Trade Deadline Looms: Will the Hurricanes Pull the Trigger?
With the clock ticking and no progress in negotiations, the possibility of a blockbuster trade looms large. Kypreos put it bluntly:
“Carolina owner Tom Dundon doesn’t want to get burned that way again, so he’s basically got a month to sign him. If that doesn’t happen by March 7, look for potential Mikko Rantanen fireworks to start up all over again.”
If the Hurricanes can’t strike a deal, expect a bidding war among contenders eager to land the star forward. With his elite scoring ability and playoff experience, Rantanen could be the missing piece for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.
For now, all eyes are on Carolina. Will they lock up their star winger, or will they be forced into a trade they never intended to make? One thing’s for certain: the next few weeks could reshape the Hurricanes’ future in a big way.
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