Report: Hurricanes Could Flip Mikko Rantanen at Deadline

The Mikko Rantanen trade last month took the NHL by storm, leaving jaws dropped all over the hockey world. The Carolina Hurricanes were now legit Stanley Cup contenders, went the predominant line of thinking.

But just six games into his Canes tenure, there are some serious questions about whether or not Rantanen will even still be around when Carolina hits the ice in the playoffs.

And it's got nothing to do with the fact that he's off to a slow start in Raleigh, with just one goal and two points.

Insider Nick Kypreos says that "as of this week, there's no significant talks about Rantanen signing in Carolina just yet... It's gonna take a big number to lock this guy down."

While Carolina is prepared to make offers they think will entice Rantanen to stay, many who are watching closely feel they will fall short at the end.

And of course, the Hurricanes do not want to see a repeat of the situation that unfolded last season, when a star player they had acquired walked out the door in free agency.

Carolina can't really afford to give up Martin Necas and two draft picks for another guy who walks to UFA, after trading for Jake Guentzel only to have him leave last year.
Carolina owner Tom Dundon doesn't want to get burned that way again, so he's basically got a month to sign him. If that doesn't happen by March 7, look for potential Mikko Rantanen fireworks to start up all over again.

Of course, there are others who feel that the Canes giving up on Rantanen without even a single playoff run would be silly.

The speed with which hockey punditry has gone from "Mikko Rantanen is perfect for the Hurricanes because of his remarkable playoff scoring success" to "maybe we put him BACK on the trade board?!?" is truly breathtaking.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 7, 2025