The Carolina Hurricanes have made a significant contract extension offer to Mikko Rantanen, and according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, it could be over $100,000,000. Rantanen isn't quite sure yet about playing long-term in Carolina, and frankly never wanted to leave Colorado and was blindsided by the trade.
With the 2025 trade deadline less than two weeks away, the Hurricanes will be listening to trade offers until Rantanen signs a contract. For now - 'he needs more time', is what the Hurricanes are being told. If a trade materializes before March 7, there's going to be tons of interest as Rantanen's cap hit is only at $4.6 million because the Blackhawks are retaining half of this season's salary.
Here's five potential trade destinations for Rantanen:
Florida Panthers
What complicates a trade for Carolina is they'll want to maximize the return, as losing Martin Necas and then losing Rantanen afterwards is a tough blow, and they are going to get strong offers from rivals, including the Panthers. They are a long-term option for Rantanen to sign, to play alongside his good friend Aleksandar Barkov. Carolina would likely want Anton Lundell in return.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs are rumored to have kicked tires with the Hurricanes once everyone realized Rantanen isn't thrilled with his new team. The Leafs are open to moving the likes of Max Domi, Nick Robertson, and even prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten, but they won't be dealing Bobby McMann, Matthew Knies, or any of their top stars. It would certainly be an all-in moment for the Maple Leafs in they land Rantanen.
Winnipeg Jets
There's little chance Rantanen would want to sign long-term in Winnipeg, however, the Jets are elite this year and there's a consensus that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will go all in this season. Moving Rantanen back west would be a much easier pill for Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky to swallow. A package around pending free-agent Nik Ehlers may be something the Hurricanes consider.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers will certainly kick tires on the asking price and could offer top prospect Matt Savoie, former Hurricane Jeff Skinner, and a first-round pick. Their offer may not necessarily be the best, however if Rantanen is going to walk anyways, you have to think the Hurricanes are going to make a move to at least get some compensation in return. Vasily Podkolzin could also be involved if these two teams do business together.
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas is always in on the big names that are available, and this year it's either Brayden Schenn or Rantanen. Pavel Dorofeyev could be involved, along with top prospect Brendan Brisson. The Golden Knights will have to include top prospects, and young roster players, as they don't have a first-round pick until 2027.
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