Report: League Insiders Say Rantanen's Future Is Not in Raleigh

As talk continues to swirl around Mikko Rantanen's future with the Carolina Hurricanes—will they offer him an extension for the big money he's looking for? Or will they flip him?—it really seems to be coming down to whether or not they can get him signed before the March 7th trade deadline.

Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period says that Yes, the Canes are willing to come up with the money... But no, Rantanen is not likely to take it.

In the chatter over the last few days around 4 Nations, there's a lot of talk surrounding (Rantanen's) future, and it's not likely being in Raleigh...
It is important to note that money won't be the factor here. Carolina is willing to give him the big bucks that he's looking for, in that $14 million per year range. So that's not an issue.
It really is going to come down to Mikko Rantanen and his being comfortable staying there long-term. And there are a lot of people around the league, there's a lot of chatter among teams that they're doubting that's the case.

Rantanen has been off to a very slow start with Carolina since the trade that shocked the hockey world brought him over from the Colorado Avalanche. Rantanen has just two points in six games with the Canes after notching 25 goals and 64 points in 49 games with the Avs. He's also coming off back-to-back 100-point seasons.

But things just haven't clicked in Carolina. Up till now, it just hasn't been a fit.

Didn't the Hurricanes trade for Rantanen, though, because he's a playoff beast? The Finnish superstar has 34 goals and 101 points in 81 Stanley Cup playoff games in his career. Just the kind of breakout player on offense the Canes have lacked. Will they really flip him before having him for at least one playoff run?

Or will they just try their best to recoup similar assets that they gave up for him in the first place?

Everyone will be watching Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky over the next two to three weeks.