Although it’s almost unheard of for a 100-point scorer to be traded twice in the same season, that’s precisely the situation Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen experienced this year. However, ahead of playing the Colorado Avalanche for the first time tomorrow, Rantanen is stating he never desired to leave the team, via Sportsnet.
In 10 seasons with the club, Rantanen registered 287 goals, 394 assists and 681 points. He added 101 points in 81 games in the playoffs and played a vital role in the club’s 2021-22 Stanley Cup championship.
However, the Avs shipped the star winger to the Hurricanes on January 24 in a three-team deal after contract negotiations stalled. It was a deal that sent shockwaves through the hockey world. In addition to Rantanen, Carolina received Taylor Hall, and Nils Juntorp, Colorado received Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick, and Chicago received a third-round pick (via Carolina) and retained half of Rantanen’s salary.
While the Avs and Rantanen tried to finalize an extension in the final year of his contract, terms were not reached and the ultimate decision to ship off the two-time 100-point scorer was made. Ironically, the Hurricanes ran into a similar scenario with the Finnish star, and eventually made the decision to deal him to the Stars on March 7. The third team proved to be the charm for Rantanen, who immediately agreed to an eight-year contract extension worth $96MM, worth a cap hit of $12MM.
Ahead of tomorrow’s big matchup between his current and former clubs, Rantanen looked to clear the air with reporters about the bizarre circumstances surrounding his season. Meeting with Denver reporters, Rantanen led off his comments by thanking the Avalanche franchise (and its fans) for their years of support and then backed it up by stating he never wanted to leave Colorado. He noted the trade to the Hurricanes as “weird,” and said he believed he and the team were still in the negotiation process with six weeks remaining before the trade deadline. Rantanen said that’s when he was informed of the trade.
Rantanen also discussed how hard the last few months have been being traded twice before finally finding his home with Dallas. And while tomorrow marks his return to Colorado and first game against the team that drafted him 10th overall in the 2015 draft, the chances these two teams meet in the playoffs are high. If the season ended now, the two teams would square off in the first round of the playoffs.
It’s weird. It’s like Colorado was just waiting for that first “wait a minute” to fire him out the door. I don’t think they wanted his contract to interfere with what they are going to have to do with Cale Makar.
Or their last and final offer was their last and final offer. Getting something in return was important, and giving them time to get acclimated to the team and build some chemistry was as well.
Rantanen keeps talking about how much he loved his ex-girlfriend from college at his wedding while his new wife is standing right there.
Negotiator’s remorse. Avs would’ve signed him to the deal he eventually signed with Dallas. Their last reported offer was 11.65/8. Of course he’s worth more than that but if their next move was to trade him, they must’ve been a fair ways apart in the negotiation at that time. It’s gonna suck to have to see him w regularity for the next 8 yrs
First of all the same deal in Colorado is not Apples to apples. No state income tax made the 12 million worth more in TX. Also, Colorado probably wouldn’t go to 12 anyway. They already had heart burn offering what they did knowing how top heavy they would be. Especially with makars deal coming up
Thanks for that, Tang. State income tax differences between states are one argument against hard salary caps in hockey (and all pro sports). In the competition to sign free agents, that is a big factor.
I like the cap because otherwise you have an MLB issue. But I do think there could be ways to navigate that and make it more fair. Also he stated there were 4 teams he would play for. I bet it was Dallas, Vegas, Florida and Tampa. Guess what they all have in common?
Sorry He played game of chicken . . Clearly team felt the talks were going nowhere. they made a move.
Pretty sure at least 11.5 x 8 was out there if he wanted to stay so bad. With the cap going up significantly, he probably envisioned Draisaitl money and missed.
The more he talks the more of a jacka$$ he sounds like
That’s right. Translated to normal language, he’s saying “I deserved $96m but they didn’t give it to me”.
Is his agent telling him to constantly whine to the media?
It’s just bad timing. He can’t set the market because he’s not their best player. He can’t come in at just under MacKinnon because he’s not the second best player either.
They’re just trying to not find themselves in the same hole Toronto is in.
He has the potential to be a headache.
Random, but…I just confirmed on the replay….
Danton Heinan ACTUALLY scored while flying horizontally through the air.
We should build a statue for him.
Welcome to professional sports Mikko, where the only name that matters is on the front of the jersey, not the back. Careful what you try to negotiate for, you just might NOT get it.
If I were a stars fan, I’d be very worried about that contract. We’ve seen what a disinterested rantanen looks like in Carolina. They could have that for 8 years.
Mikko is proving to the organization that he’s a product of Nathan MacKinnon. Nathan’s point pace has increased since the trade, while Mikko’s has decreased and Martin’s has increased considerably. Nathan MacKinnon is the team’s captain, their best player, and far better leader for this franchise. His desire to win Championships has led him to follow a Sidney Crosby philosophy; and it’s working. Now, we just need our problem issues (VN) to regain focus for another deep run at the Stanley Cup.
Necas has a lower ppg and his points per 60 minutes is down 27% since the trade.
He’s still playing really well but his production isnt quite as high.
Stop it. What is this Sidney Crosby philosophy? Leaving money on the table? When Nathan McKinnon signed his extension a few years back he became the highest paid player in the league. And the VN problem seems resolved for now. He is scoring at a 45 goal pace when worked out over a full season.
He became the highest paid player because the Avalanche went out and offered him the deal they chose to offer him. He’s been adamant about not needing to be paid the most money, and the NHL knew the salary cap’s were going to begin seeing increases every year. If he were all about being paid more money, he’d be talking to the team about his extension NOW; but he’s not. He wants to win Championships.
The bottom line is this…if Mikko TRULY wanted to stay in Colorado, the deal would’ve been done! Colorado went as far as they were willing to go! With Cale Makar’s contract coming next summer, they had a limit! PERIOD! If he really wanted to stay then he would’ve signed!
The front office obviously felt the gap was too far to bridge! “Face to face meeting” or not, “I’m willing to be flexible” or not, if Colorado felt there was a way to get it done, then they wouldn’t have traded him! Of course he’s worth more than what Colorado offered. That’s not the point! The front office has a roster to fill out under a specific salary cap. Their priority is what’s best for the organization, not a specific player! You wanna stay? Then give a hometown discount and keep the band together! If not, then bye bye!
(Sidney Crosby has taken less to stay in Pittsburgh! “87” superstition or not! That’s where he wants to be, so he makes it happen!)
Mikko wanted more than Colorado was willing to spend! And that is his right! He’s earned it! But, he tried to play a little hardball and this is what happened! PERIOD!
All of this puts the players on notice! The Colorado front office is saying…If you want to be a part of something special here, then stay, and let’s do it! If you wanna play hardball, we’ll ship your ass out and find others to fill in the gaps!
And I for one, completely agree!!!
Why you asked so much Mikko? Fired your agent