For Rantanen, I think it's pretty simple. You don't pay that kind of money $12M+ for a player who isn't considered a franchise player... no one else is. You could argue that the Leafs did it with Marner - look where it got them. Now at some point, as the cap goes up - there will certainly be some teams that do it and pay high-end, high-talent complimentary players that kind of money but it doesn't mean it's a wise thing to do.
When he's on and playing his best and putting forth his best effort, he certainly looks like a franchise player. That happens what 10% of the time, if that? Where as with true franchise players, it's usually the opposite where they look the part 90% of the time or more.
I've seen a lot of posts about Rantanen being 'lazy' or 'just not moving his feet' and we've watched him for EIGHT years, we know all about 'the regular Mikko Rantanen' and his strengths & shortcomings but for me, anyways - this season is different. The last 3 games or so, I think he's been back to being that guy at least effort-wise and it doesn't mean he doesn't make mistakes or make some bad plays but it means at least it looks like he's trying out there. There's a certain expected standard with a guy like Rantanen - where we fans know he's not perfect and we know he's going to be frustrating at times but I have to say he's fell below that standard quite a bit so far this season.
Deciding to coast and reach out with your stick as far as it can go - instead of actually using your legs to backcheck is a great example of what everyone is talking about (except for a few who either don't watch the games or are actually related to #96).
So the Avs are going to be in a position this summer to re-sign Rantanen or let him play out the last year of his contract and risk getting nothing for him or trade him.
Personally, if it was me I would not be able to go over $11M per but even then - signing him to that deal with max term would scare the crap out of me after what we've seen from him this year.
I do think that trading him is probably the best way to go as long as you get the right deal. I can't quite see CMakic doing it - as my perception is that they are 'too nice' and 'too grateful' for the SC win but making tough decisions is what the job is all about. You can't let him walk and get nothing and you probably don't want to pay him more than what Nylander just signed for and certainly not what MacKinnon is making.