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.
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
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