Confirmed Trade: [CAR/COL/CHI] Mikko Rantanen (50%), Taylor Hall, Nils Juntorp to CAR; Martin Necas, Jack Drury, '25 2nd, '26 4th to COL; '25 3rd to CHI for retention

[Habs Halifax]

The delay was that the Avs never offered him a discount contract. At least at the moment it seems that the Avs weren't ready to pay over 11.75M to a player with a contract projection of 13.3M. There's still a lot of room for a discount contract between those numbers, and it seems that Rantanen was waiting for it yet it never came. I don't know where people keep coming up with the 13M+ or 14M contract demands, since no rumors or news indicate that Rantanen wouldn't have been ready to a sign a 12-13M contract. 13-14M might have been his agent's negotiation tactic, but it seems that it was never the end goal.

It just still seems absurd to me that the Avs weren't willing to budge on a rumored less than one million difference in the contract negotiations for a beloved franchise player who was a proven superstar and playoff performer and had helped the team from it's worst times to a Stanley Cup, yet they had no problem throwing a newly acquired goalie a bigger and longer contract than projected after 5 games.

How do you know it never came?

 

[pelderhostiga]

How do you know it never came?

The current knowledge we have is the insiders reporting that the Avs wouldn't pay over 11.75M and Rantanen commenting that he really, really wanted to stay and was willing to take a discount (so probably less than the 13.3M). So at the moment it strongly seems like there could've been a deal between 12-13M, but the Avs weren't ready to pay that.

 

[Habs Halifax]

The current knowledge we have is the insiders reporting that the Avs wouldn't pay over 11.75M and Rantanen commenting that he really, really wanted to stay and was willing to take a discount (so probably less than the 13.3M). So at the moment it strongly seems like there could've been a deal between 12-13M, but the Avs weren't ready to pay that.

We have to be careful to what we believe is true and what is not. Comprehension on how to read into this can vary from fan to fan.

What I believe is Rantanen and his agent knew very well what the Avs were offering and banked on their UFA card. When you play that game, the team can look at option B and they don't have to tell the player/agent. Rantanen and his agent thought they would cave and might have had $13M as their low point but preferred to wait last moment. Something the Avs could not do.

Did the Avs tell them, this is our max offer? My gut tells me they did but Rantanen and his agent didn't believe them. That's how I comprehend it. I'm pretty sure both sides understood their low and max points.

If anybody is guilty at this divorce, it's probably Rantanten's agent. He thought the Avs would cave and that was the advice he was giving Rantanen. That's my opinion only.

 

[ToDavid]

This reminds me so much of Huberdeau in florida

Guy keeps thinking they are being casual in negotiations as the big offer is coming

Then boom traded

I don't really think they're comparable. I don't remember there being any reports of contract issues with Huberdeau, Florida simply had a chance to get a better player and took it. Colorado is trading the better player here for cap savings.

 

[Peter Griffin]

do they have the plan to hand out an offer sheet this summer?

Maybe, but that pick won’t play a factor. 2025 picks can’t be used as compensation.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

imagine Rants returns to COL as a UFA

 

[Habs Halifax]

I don't really think they're comparable. I don't remember there being any reports of contract issues with Huberdeau, Florida simply had a chance to get a better player and took it. Colorado is trading the better player here for cap savings.

Panthers were probably close or not far off with Huberdeau and that was probably a deal they didn't like but they also don't like loosing talent. What happened there was an opportunity came up and they could not refuse it. Getting Tkachuk in his prime? That was all about timing.

Necas is not M Tkachuk.

This might have something to do with a looming $100M cap and the Avs being $100M less in generating revenue than the top 5 NHL teams. It's going to be interesting to see who are the contenders in the future and how many of them spend max cap.

A team like Vegas and the Stars have the biggest advantage... One of the higher revenue generators with low state tax.

 

[elmaco]

Sorry man but that is not good context. Comparing average citizens to sports athletes? Come on man.

Yeah, $100k vs $80K for 8 years ($160k difference) is the same as $11.5M vs $13.5M for 8 years ($16M difference)

* $640k vs $800K does not really set you up for life over those 8 years. You have to continue the yearly grind until 60+

* $92M vs $108M. You and your family can retire with $92M and your kids and you kid's kids will also be fine.

Sure, would you rather the team owner get that money? He hires another player which we call depth, that's socialism.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Sure, would you rather the team owner get that money? He hires another player which we call depth, that's socialism.

I talked about this on previous pages. No, the owner does not get the money savings. There is a 50/50 revenue split rule in the CBA.

Who gets the money savings? Your teammates and your GM has more to use to keep the team competitive. It's not rocket science

 

[elmaco]

I talked about this on previous pages. No, the owner does not get the money savings. There is a 50/50 revenue split rule in the CBA.

Who gets the money savings? Your teammates and your GM has more to use to keep the team competitive.

I know it's a touchy subject, but each to their own. Personally i don't condemn if someone wants to chase a paycheck.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I know it's a touchy subject, but each to their own. Personally i don't condemn if someone wants to chase a paycheck.

First you compared it to average citizens and then you say the owner gets more money. Both flawed. It's deeper than just a paycheck. It's greed when you are already set for life and it does not affect the owners. It affects your GM and your fellow teammates.

Rantanen has earned $58M up to this point. When you apply his next contract ($11.5M vs $13.5M lets say), it's the difference between $150M vs $166M. Give me break with your chasing a pay check narrative.

Poor guy will only take home $75M vs $83M after taxes. He needs to chase a bigger pay check to "support his family and protect them"

 

[elmaco]

First you compared it to average citizens and then you say the owner gets more money. Both flawed. It's deeper than just a paycheck. It's greed when you are already set for life and it does not affect the owners. It affects your GM and your fellow teammates.

Rantanen has earned $58M up to this point. When you apply his next contract ($11.5M vs $13.5M lets say), it's the difference between $150M vs $166M. Give me break with your chasing a pay check narrative.

At the end of the day it's a job. I get where you are coming from since we both have a team we cheer for, but the players don't actually care about their employer or have an emotional connection to them like we fans do, to the point of taking less capital. Some of them do, but most don't.

 

[Habs Halifax]

At the end of the day it's a job. I get where you are coming from since we both have a team we cheer for, but the players don't actually care about their employer or have an emotional connection to them like we fans do, to the point of taking less capital. Some of them do, but most don't.

I understand that but your totally overlooking the point. This is greed among the players fighting for extra Millions when they are already set for life. Like I said, leave a little on the table (like what MacKinnon did) so your fellow teammates can get paid too. This is not giving more money to billionaire owners.

Sorry, but I am not going to support starts who will have $150M in the bank but want $166M instead. I will apply that to all stars, not just Rantanen. I've been saying it for years.

In case you didn't notice, this is about the agents wanting a bigger cut and the influence they will put on the players. I blame the agent here, not Rantanen.

 

[Freudian]

Avs already knew how it was to negotiate with Rantanen and his agent. Rantanen sat out of camp as a RFA, only signing late september.

It's not like Avs leverage would increase going forward. Rantanen overplayed his hand if he wanted to stay. If he wants to maximize his salary, he still has the chance to.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Sorry man but that is not good context. Comparing average citizens to sports athletes? Come on man.

Yeah, $100k vs $80K for 8 years ($160k difference) is the same as $11.5M vs $13.5M for 8 years ($16M difference)

* $640k vs $800K does not really set you up for life over those 8 years. You have to continue the yearly grind until 60+

* $92M vs $108M. You and your family can retire with $92M and your kids and you kid's kids will also be fine.

I think it’s just a pride and “getting paid your worth” thing, for the most part. You always want more money, ain’t capitalism grand? So a millionaire is asking a billionaire for a fair deal- the owners already got a cap, in a free market players would earn even more, so.. *shrug*.

I think we need a more equitable society in general, but as is everything is based on getting paid as much as possible- I don’t blame a player for doing that.

Anyway, this deal is still bananalands to me. Who won? A grade or F? Hot takes only.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think it’s just a pride and “getting paid your worth” thing, for the most part. You always want more money, ain’t capitalism grand? So a millionaire is asking a billionaire for a fair deal- the owners already got a cap, in a free market players would earn even more, so.. *shrug*.

I think we need a more equitable society in general, but as is everything is based on getting paid as much as possible- I don’t blame a player for doing that.

Anyway, this deal is still bananalands to me. Who won? A grade or F? Hot takes only.

Personally, I think it's more the agents planting seeds in the players heads so they can get a bigger cut. Remember, if a player leaves money on the table for his teammates, his teammates probably have a different agent and they get a bigger cut.

Some players let the agent do everything and trust them 100%. Some don't (like MacKinnon)

 

[elmaco]

I understand that but your totally overlooking the point. This is greed among the players fighting for extra Millions when they are already set for life. Like I said, leave a little on the table (like what MacKinnon did) so your fellow teammates can get paid too. This is not giving more money to billionaire owners.

Sorry, but I am not going to support starts who will have $150M in the bank but want $166M instead. I will apply that to all stars, not just Rantanen. I've been saying it for years.

They're only human, call it greed or whatever, given the situation most would act the same, planning how much you can grind to live the rest of your life with. It's easy to judge when you're an observer.

 

[kcunac]

So are the Canes going to sign Rants to 13 million a year? Seems unlikely?

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Personally, I think it's more the agents planting seeds in the players heads so they can get a bigger cut. Remember, if a player leaves money on the table for his teammates, his teammates probably have a different agent and they get a bigger cut.

Some players let the agent do everything and trust them 100%. Some don't (like MacKinnon)

That too, I think there’s a lot beyond just “I want 12 mil, not 11.5!” But you’re right, the agent is 100% more focused on the money and he’s likely the one saying “hey man, it’s just about fairness”.

 

[BoxOfChocolates]

Who would've thunk Drury would be the first to score

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Necas looks really good on MacKinnons wing. The guy is just flying out there.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

imagine Rants returns to COL as a UFA

they were talking about this last night on HNIC lol.

 

[spockBokk]

So are the Canes going to sign Rants to 13 million a year? Seems unlikely?

They’ll have to spend their $35M in cap space on something, why not on Rantanen?

They have Aho, Slavin, Svechnikov, Jarvis locked up. Blake and Nikishin will be on ELCs next year, potentially Morrow and one of Nadeau/Unger Sorum/Artamonov also may make the team on ELCs.

Nikishin “should” be able to replace Orlov, so the only big holes to fill will be Burns and Andersen replacements. Morrow might be ready next year, but probably not for top 4 mins. If they give Rantanen $14M, they’d still have $21M to fill out the roster.

Now, would they pay $14M to Rantanen? Eh, not sure, I doubt it. Will they offer him a competitive aav with the 8th yr? I’d say assuredly yes.

I hope they learned their lesson with Guentzel and are not waiting til 48-72hrs before 7/1 to meet a player’s ask. They’re also in a completely different cap situation this summer vs last. Last summer they had RFAs in Necas, Jarvis and Drury to deal with plus Guentzel,Pesce, Skjei and Noesen coming up as UFAs, every dollar mattered. This summer, no RFAs to worry with and only Orlov, Burns and Andersen (add Hall and Rantanen) to worry about as UFAs. They have Orlov’s replacement lined up, perhaps Burns’ too (Morrow) and as much cap space as I can recall them ever having.

As a Canes fan, I’m feeling pretty optimistic about Rantanen extending. I think it will all depend on if he likes it in Raleigh or not. The Canes are certainly in a position to keep him.

 

[Calderon]

Sebastian Aho didn't take the Canes to the cleaners in terms of cap hit. He did demand a huge portion as a signing bonus (in his second contract, not so much in the third one), though. I suppose there's a non-zero chance Rantanen takes a page of that book and re-signs with the Avs at a decent cap hit but with sizable signing bonus. After all, the same money now is more valuable than in a few years' time.

 

[Czechboy]

Neat contrasting opinions on here.

Canes fans that watch games - Necas is awesome
Non Canes fans that haven't seen Necas - go to EP, see top year is 71 points and LOL
Avs fans that watch Rants - he's a top 10 forward in the NHL and a legit superstar
Non avs fans - carried by MacK/Mak

My view is that Rants is a established superstar just like Drai. My view is that Necas is an emerging superstar and I don't see going to the Avs hurting his already very good point total.

Time will tell though.