Insider: Rantanen Will NOT Be Making Contract Decision Before Trade Deadline

"The ball is in Carolina's court." That's the word from insider Elliotte Friedman, who said on Hockey Night in Canada Saturday night that there will be no decision coming from the Hurricanes' prized pending UFA Mikko Rantanen as to whether he'll accept their extension offer by next Friday's trade deadline.

The Canes have apparently made a hefty offer north of the $100 million range, which on an eight-year contract would be over $12.5 million AAV, perhaps closer to $13 million. Rantanen has not responded yet, either in a positive or negative way, says Friedman.

The Carolina Hurricanes have a decision to make. It appears unlikely that Rantanen will make a decision (on their offer) by the trade deadline next Friday. And I don't think it's got anything to do with the money, the Hurricanes have made him a big offer. I think it's just that this has been too much of a whirlwind. It's been really quick, he was really shocked at the trade, he hasn't spent a lot of time in Carolina.
So it appears at this time unlikely that he will make any kind of commitment by Friday... I think the ball is in Carolina's court with what they want to do.

Their options are this: Flip him in another trade and try to recoup assets that make them a better team, or use Rantanen as their own 'rental' for this year's playoffs, and let it play out. If they win a Cup, he might very well want to stay.

As we relayed earlier, insider Frank Seravalli dispelled some myths about the Rantanen situation. Including the one that says the Canes will trade him if he doesn't accept their extension. "I'm told that even if they get a hard no from Rantanen, that they will very much consider keeping him."

The former Colorado Avalanche superstar has picked it up since the 4 Nations break, with four points in the Hurricanes' last four games.