Avalanche Rumors: Mikko Rantanen's Next Contract To Be "Very, Very Expensive"
According to Frank Seravalli and Jason Gregor of Daily Faceoff, the Colorado Avalanche star’s average annual value (AAV) is expected to start at $12 million.
Gregor further predicts, “$12.5 million is what he gets,” placing Rantanen just below teammate Nathan MacKinnon, who carries a $12.6 million AAV.
Both analysts agree that Rantanen will become one of the league's highest-paid players.
What will Mikko Rantanen's next contract look like?@JasonGregor and @frank_seravalli gave their thoughts on The DFO Rundown.
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) September 19, 2024
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Rantanen's recent production justifies such a lucrative extension.
He is coming off consecutive 100-point seasons, including a career-best 55 goals and 105 points in 2022-23, followed by another 104-point campaign.
His consistency as a top-tier forward makes comparisons to recent contracts like William Nylander's $11.5 million AAV or David Pastrnak’s $11.25 million deal inevitable, but Rantanen’s overall game is likely to push his next contract higher.
As Seravalli put it, “It’s going to be very, very expensive,” with his next AAV predicted to start in the $12 million range.
WHAT A PASS FROM MACKINNON TO RANTANEN FOR A 5-3 LEAD 🎉#GoAvsGo | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/eTktfcIBQw
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 1, 2024
Despite the Avalanche's salary cap challenges, retaining Rantanen is seen as essential to keeping their championship window open alongside MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
Analysts believe his next contract will likely be in the seven- to eight-year range, ensuring Colorado secures its core for the long term.
As one analyst noted, “It’s a lock that he ends up in the top five for AAVs,” as rising contracts across the league set new benchmarks for elite talent like Rantanen.
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