The Carolina Hurricanes have turned up the heat on Mikko Rantanen, reportedly offering him a jaw-dropping nine-figure contract extension during the 4 Nations Face-Off. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman broke the news on Sportsnet’s “Saturday Headlines,” revealing that Carolina’s front office met directly with Rantanen’s camp over the break and tabled an offer worth more than $100 million.
“I believe the offer is in the nine-digit range it’s a massive deal,” Friedman reported. “But Rantanen hasn’t committed either way. He’s simply said, ‘I need time to process everything the whirlwind, the emotions.’”
With the March 7 trade deadline fast approaching, the Hurricanes now face a high-stakes dilemma: Do they keep Rantanen for a Stanley Cup push, risking losing him for nothing in free agency, or do they trade him now and recoup assets before it’s too late?
If Carolina opts to move him, contenders will be lining up. Thanks to the Hurricanes’ ability to retain salary, Rantanen’s cap hit could be slashed to just $2.3 million, making him an incredibly appealing rental for teams looking to make a deep playoff run.
“The Hurricanes have three retention slots available,” Friedman explained on the 32 Thoughts podcast. “If they retain half, Rantanen’s cap hit becomes just over $2.3 million any team can work with that.”
Friedman listed the Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, and Winnipeg Jets as potential landing spots, all of whom are keeping their trade assets on hold in case Rantanen becomes available.
“Teams are waiting, but not forever,” Friedman cautioned. “If the deadline gets too close, buyers will move on.”
Acquired in a blockbuster trade involving the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks, Rantanen has yet to find his rhythm in Carolina, posting only three points in seven games. Now, with a $100 million decision hanging over his head and trade talks swirling, the pressure is mounting both on Rantanen and the Hurricanes to make their next move before time runs out.
