Insider Reveals the Massive Number Mikko Rantanen Seeking On Next Contract

The Colorado Avalanche have one huge outstanding bit of contract business looming over them this season. What to do about pending unrestricted free agent Mikko Rantanen?

There were some talks during the offseason that it shouldn't be a problem getting an extension done. But then came opening night, and now we're six weeks into the season and a Rantanen extension is not close.

Although many still believe they should be able to get something done, Insider Pierre LeBrun said on TSN's Insider Trading on Thursday that "the road will not be easy" for the Avalanche.

With Nathan MacKinnon at $12.6 million a year... the Avalanche certainly have sort of an internal cap there that I believe has been, or will be, cited in negotiations.

Colorado, it's thought, doesn't want to have its best player, MacKinnon—the 2024 Hart Trophy winner—surpassed on the salary scale by anyone, even an invaluable star like Rantanen.

But Rantanen, says LeBrun, will be demanding more than that $12.6M. Much more:

I'll tell you right now, I think Rantanen believes he can make $14 million (annually) on the open market.

And the argument from the Finnish star's agent is a good one. It's not about the actual AAV number, it's all about the percentage of the team's salary cap, notes LeBrun.

"The salary cap landscape has changed dramatically (since MacKinnon signed his deal in 2022), the cap is going way up here in the next few years."

LeBrun is quite certain that Rantanen's agent "will talk about percentage of the cap, not necessarily the AAV. MacKinnon's salary took up 15.27% of the cap when he signed his deal, and 15.09% when it actually kicked in.

With the salary cap expected to be at about $92.5M next season, just 15% of that would work out to $13.875M. So that $14M doesn't sound so far-fetched, does it?

"Can the Avalance get Rantanen at $12.6 million or less?... I don't have the answer, but I think those are the stakes right now."

Rantanen is off to a torrid start to the season, with 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points in 23 games, leaving him tied for 5th in goals and 6th in points in the league. He's coming off back-to-back 100-point seasons.