Report: Hurricanes Have Made “Big, Big Offer” To Rantanen

The Mikko Rantanen story in Carolina has taken a new turn, according to insider Elliotte Friedman on Saturday night's Hockey Night in Canada. Friedman says the Hurricanes have made Rantanen a "big, big offer", but that the pending unrestricted free agent hasn't given a response yet.

During the 4 Nations break the Hurricanes met with his representatives face to face... They had a conversation about where things were and where they were going. And the Hurricanes made an offer and I believe it was into the nine digits, so it's a big, big offer. Rantanen at this time has not said yes, and not said no, he's just said 'I still need time to process everything that's happened.'

It really has been a whirlwind for Rantanen, as the blockbuster deal completely blindsided him after 10 years with the Colorado Avalanche. He's struggled in his short time with the Canes, posting just two points in six games going into Saturday night's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The word is that the two-time 100-point scorer and playoff beast is looking for an AAV north of $14 million on a new contract, and it sounds like the Canes are getting close–maybe. A "nine-figure" offer over eight years could also mean simply a $100M offer, which would work out to a $12.5M AAV.

So Rantanen hasn't answered yet to whatever their "big, big offer" is, but Carolina is looking for some kind feel by March 7th whether he's interested in working on it with them, otherwise they may consider flipping him.