Unveiled: 2 Stunning Impending UFAs Top Sportsnet's Updated Trade Board
Two of the biggest impending unrestricted free agents, Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche and Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers aren't close to anything resembling an extension as of yet, and "the phones won't stop ringing" for those two, so Kypreos felt he had no choice but to include them. (He added that the Toronto Maple Leafs "won't take calls" on their huge pending UFA Mitch Marner, so he didn't make the list.)
Mikko Rantanen
We've all heard that the Avalanche are refusing to budge from their 'internal salary cap' of Nathan MacKinnon's $12.6 million AAV, while Rantanen's camp is feeling like $14 million is more in his range due to the current market conditions (MacKinnon's deal was signed two-and-a-half years ago). And with no traction on bridging the gap, Kypreos says the vultures are circling.
It's believed that three teams have made serious pitches for Rantanen, but have been turned down so far as the Avs still hope to re-sign him.
Rantanen, who recorded 97 goals and 209 points over the previous two seasons, is having another spectacular campaign, with 25 goals and 60 points through 44 games.
Sam Bennett
While his numbers don't come anywhere close to comparing with Rantanen's, Bennett's importance to the Florida Panthers and their Stanley Cup run of last season (and any hopes of a repeat) cannot be understated. His gritty, two-way play makes for the ultimate playoff warrior. But his raw stats are way down this season, and as Kypreos says, "I think Florida is still contemplating a lot on Bennett...
"Teams continually ask about him... so, until the Panthers sign him (to an extension) or definitively say they're not trading him, he'll stay on my list."
To this point, it sounds like the Panthers and the Bennett camp aren't in the same ballpark (rink) when it comes to the perceived value of his next contract. He's wrapping up a 4-year deal with a $4.425M AAV.
