Confirmed Trade: [DAL/CAR] Mikko Rantanen (signs 8 years, $12M AAV) for Logan Stankoven, c. 2026 1st round, c. 2028 1st round, 2026 3rd round, 2027 3rd round

[elmaco]

if he knew he wasn’t staying then why insist on a particular jersey number?

I have no idea, but the guy said he already made his decision not to sign shortly after the trade, so ill assume it was just him being nice to a teammate.

 

[Dr Pepper]

Rantanen isn't the kind of player to put in effort. The fact that he played with the 2nd and 3rd best player in the world and got carried to some points had most people fooled that he put in effort...


That's because he played with Aho, who's one of the best two way forwards in the world and a far more complete player than Rantanen. But as good as Aho is, he's not able to carry Rantanen to the same results as MacKinnon and Makar.
But hopefully this opened the eyes of all the people who thought Rantanen is better than Aho as I'm sure at least Canes fans like @tarheelhockey and @AhosDatsyukian can confirm that Rantanen can't even hold Aho's jockstrap. Hell, I don't even think @Murzu who's the number 1 Rantanen fan on HF Boards would go and claim that Rantanen is better than Aho at this point.

 

[Fatass]

I have no idea, but the guy said he already made his decision not to sign shortly after the trade, so ill assume it was just him being nice to a teammate.

Or he’s being a selfish prick who didn’t want to play in another number for a few games?

 

[Blueline Bomber]

The only people deserving blame for this mess are the Avs and Canes GMs. Avs traded him instead of negotiating and then Canes didn't do their due diligence and make sure he was willing to sign first

The Avs fans hating Rantanen makes 0 sense. He did nothing wrong, was just trying to negotiate a better deal for himself but it's clear he wanted to stay. Blame your GM for cutting them short

Canes fans I get, I guess if his effort level wasn't there but that's not surprising considering the circumstances and he's not a fit for their system either way. Also still looks like he was one of their better play drivers while he was there, just unlucky.

Again, the Canes GM did their due diligence. They were told Rantanen wouldn't object to re-signing here. Because that's what Rantanen/his agent told the Avalanche when they brought up the possibility of a trade to Carolina. The problem was that Rantanen/his agent didn't believe that was a serious option. They thought it was a negotiation tactic by the Avalanche.

So the Canes traded for him, he's apparently shocked by the trade (though he shouldn't have been), and then after the 4 Nations, he tells Brindamour "There's only 4 teams in the league I'll play for and you're not one of them."

Either Rantanen (or more likely his agent) really f***ed up here.

 

[LT]

The sense I get is Rantanen and his agent weren't always on the same page about where he'd sign and how much money he'd take.

 

[TheFamousFart]

I don't think it takes a huge leap in logic to figure out the Mikko situation was at least a pretty big distraction in the locker room. Even under the best of circumstances a big trade and locker room shake up can require a bit of time to ease into things but when you have someone come in and play the diva role and that isn't going to sit well just about any team.

Distraction and poison are no the same thing, for sure there was distraction.

 

[Crossfire Hurricane]

The only people deserving blame for this mess are the Avs and Canes GMs. Avs traded him instead of negotiating and then Canes didn't do their due diligence and make sure he was willing to sign first

The Avs fans hating Rantanen makes 0 sense. He did nothing wrong, was just trying to negotiate a better deal for himself but it's clear he wanted to stay. Blame your GM for cutting them short

Canes fans I get, I guess if his effort level wasn't there but that's not surprising considering the circumstances and he's not a fit for their system either way. Also still looks like he was one of their better play drivers while he was there, just unlucky.

There aren't many Avs fans that hate Mikko, but the criticism of his effort level was common long before he was traded. His point totals have not reflected his play in a couple of years now.

 

[elmaco]

Or he’s being a selfish prick who didn’t want to play in another number for a few games?

Sure, if it makes you feel better.

 

[Chan790]

They just can’t leave this offseason without landing a legit top line talent, they’ll have the assets and money to do it without destroying their future

I don't see it available beyond Marner, overall there are fewer than people believe.

I would not consider EP one at this point, for example. A lot of others mean signing a guy at the end of their prime for prime money. The rising cap means teams feel less pressed to move good assets to make room or open cap space.

It's not the greatest time to be asset rich. We need to be patient and wait for the right buying opportunity. It might not come this offseason.

 

[Dr Pepper]

Again, the Canes GM did their due diligence. They were told Rantanen wouldn't object to re-signing here. Because that's what Rantanen/his agent told the Avalanche when they brought up the possibility of a trade to Carolina. The problem was that Rantanen/his agent didn't believe that was a serious option. They thought it was a negotiation tactic by the Avalanche.

So the Canes traded for him, he's apparently shocked by the trade (though he shouldn't have been), and then after the 4 Nations, he tells Brindamour "There's only 4 teams in the league I'll play for and you're not one of them."

Either Rantanen (or more likely his agent) really f***ed up here.

So Carolina made the deal believing he'd re-up, Colorado still made the deal knowing they weren't going to keep him around, and Rantanen, who never expected to be traded in the first place, ends up as the villain to Canes fans who still think he spurned them?

At least Rod was honest in his assessment of the situation, even going as far as to thank Rantanen for the honesty once the dust had settled on that initial trade. Mikko knew he wasn't going to stick around, it was an untidy situation with only one real outcome.

I'm just thankful Mitch Marner had a NTC he could use, otherwise Dallas would've been on the outside looking in.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

So Carolina made the deal believing he'd re-up, Colorado still made the deal knowing they weren't going to keep him around, and Rantanen, who never expected to be traded in the first place, ends up as the villain to Canes fans who still think he spurned them?

I can’t speak to other Canes fans, but I only had two issues with how the Rantanen situation played out:

1. He clearly wasn’t giving his full effort playing for the Canes, and that’s a shitty thing to do, even if you don’t plan on staying there.

2. He apparently made the decision not to re-sign with the Canes after the 4 Nations, but still took until the last minute to sign a new deal with Dallas, thus preventing Carolina from making other deals at the deadline. That’s a bitch move as well.

 

[LOFIN]

The Avs fans hating Rantanen makes 0 sense. He did nothing wrong, was just trying to negotiate a better deal for himself but it's clear he wanted to stay. Blame your GM for cutting them short

The Avs fans are not pissed about how Rantanen didn't end up re-signing with the team. It's a business, sometimes these things happen, and right now the Avs fans are very excited with Necas and Drury has also been a solid add.

They are pissed that he signed with the Stars. It has nothing to do with how it came about, it's simply the fact that he signed with a very close rival team. Nothing more to it than that.

I'm pretty sure he will get a standing ovation upcoming Sunday. After that, he will get booed like any other Stars player (apart from Duchene and Benn, who will probably get extra boos).

 

[Satan]

I can’t speak to other Canes fans, but I only had two issues with how the Rantanen situation played out:

1. He clearly wasn’t giving his full effort playing for the Canes, and that’s a shitty thing to do, even if you don’t plan on staying there.

2. He apparently made the decision not to re-sign with the Canes after the 4 Nations, but still took until the last minute to sign a new deal with Dallas, thus preventing Carolina from making other deals at the deadline. That’s a bitch move as well.

God forbid wanting some time to decide where to spend the next 8 years of your life. Carolina didn't give his agent to negotiate a deal with the Dallas Stars until after midnight on Thursday.

Maybe Tuslkiy should've earned extra Blackberriys to make trades with? Food for thought

 

[Blueline Bomber]

God forbid wanting some time to decide where to spend the next 8 years of your life. Carolina didn't give his agent to negotiate a deal with the Dallas Stars until after midnight on Thursday.

Maybe Tuslkiy should've earned extra Blackberriys to make trades with? Food for thought

He literally had a list of 4 teams he was willing to play for at the end of the 4 Nations. He had clearly given it some thought before “after midnight on Thursday.”

 

[Dr Pepper]

I can’t speak to other Canes fans, but I only had two issues with how the Rantanen situation played out:

1. He clearly wasn’t giving his full effort playing for the Canes, and that’s a shitty thing to do, even if you don’t plan on staying there.

2. He apparently made the decision not to re-sign with the Canes after the 4 Nations, but still took until the last minute to sign a new deal with Dallas, thus preventing Carolina from making other deals at the deadline. That’s a bitch move as well.

1 - Seems his playing style didn't mesh with the one RBA utilizes, and neither side wanted that to change so it didn't.

2 - You say that as if the trade was announced at 2:45pm or something, but I feel like there was more time to work with. Hell, the Marchand deal barely squeaked in under the deadline and there were a few that trickled through afterwards too. Yes, Mikko was the Canes GM's biggest trade chip so he wanted to make sure he didn't mess up negotiations - and for what it's worth Stankoven's one hell of a consolation prize, plus whatever those four picks end up being. What other deals were the Canes rumoured to be looking at?

 

[POVERTY]

The only people deserving blame for this mess are the Avs and Canes GMs. Avs traded him instead of negotiating and then Canes didn't do their due diligence and make sure he was willing to sign first

The Avs fans hating Rantanen makes 0 sense. He did nothing wrong, was just trying to negotiate a better deal for himself but it's clear he wanted to stay. Blame your GM for cutting them short

Canes fans I get, I guess if his effort level wasn't there but that's not surprising considering the circumstances and he's not a fit for their system either way. Also still looks like he was one of their better play drivers while he was there, just unlucky.

Yeah the villainization from Avs fans is pathetic lol. Hindsight is 20/20 but his agent obviously horribly misread the negotiations. Pretty clear Rantanen wanted to and was expecting to stay with the Avs, and if not he would be well within his rights as a UFA to decide where he wants to spend the next 8 years of his life. Funny to see people rewriting his entire career to date over an unfortunate 13 games following a blindside trade.

Sucks for the Canes and their fans but management did well all things considered.

 

[Kcb12345]

The Avs fans are not pissed about how Rantanen didn't end up re-signing with the team. It's a business, sometimes these things happen, and right now the Avs fans are very excited with Necas and Drury has also been a solid add.

They are pissed that he signed with the Stars. It has nothing to do with how it came about, it's simply the fact that he signed with a very close rival team. Nothing more to it than that.

I'm pretty sure he will get a standing ovation upcoming Sunday. After that, he will get booed like any other Stars player (apart from Duchene and Benn, who will probably get extra boos).

Idk, signing within the division isn't all that crazy. Avs have had half the Stars roster go through their team the last few seasons it feels like.

Rantanen simply signed with a team that has a ton of Finns and no state income tax. Not too surprising, Dallas is a popular destination for UFAs for a reason

I don't think he's doing it as a personal attack on the Avs.

I don't see any reason for Avs fans to dislike him. Especially considering yall won a Cup with him. Avs new management has been very trade happy anyways, they could've absolutely been more patient and he probably would've signed.

Back against the wall you saw how he eventually gave in to Dallas's offer. Same thing would've happened in Colorado

 

[LOFIN]

Idk, signing within the division isn't all that crazy. Avs have had half the Stars roster go through their team the last few seasons it feels like.

Rantanen simply signed with a team that has a ton of Finns and no state income tax. Not too surprising, Dallas is a popular destination for UFAs for a reason

I don't think he's doing it as a personal attack on the Avs.

Oh for sure. I guess one can argue that there is a bit of that "I'm going to show that team what I was worth", but that's like 1% of the discussion when the rest is about Dallas itself as a team, as an organization and as a market.

That still doesn't change it for the fans. He signed for the rival team. Doesn't matter one lick what his reasons were. Being a sports fan isn't supposed to be rational, it's about emotions.

I think the Avs fans can understand that from Mikko's point of view, it's a great deal. They can also say f*** your POV, this is how we feel.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Idk, signing within the division isn't all that crazy. Avs have had half the Stars roster go through their team the last few seasons it feels like.

Rantanen simply signed with a team that has a ton of Finns and no state income tax. Not too surprising, Dallas is a popular destination for UFAs for a reason

I don't think he's doing it as a personal attack on the Avs.

I don't see any reason for Avs fans to dislike him. Especially considering yall won a Cup with him. Avs new management has been very trade happy anyways, they could've absolutely been more patient and he probably would've signed.

Back against the wall you saw how he eventually gave in to Dallas's offer. Same thing would've happened in Colorado

Way too much risk and I honestly dont think CMac anticipated someone like Necas would be on the table for a UFA.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Distraction and poison are no the same thing, for sure there was distraction.

Ya, poison is too strong of a word without knowing more but I think it's fair to categorize it under the 'not good for the team and locker room' category and I think that was the main point.

 

[Kcb12345]

Way too much risk and I honestly dont think CMac anticipated someone like Necas would be on the table for a UFA.

Almost makes you wonder if Rantanen's agent knew the return offer from Carolina. I feel like he definitely didn't.

If he knew Necas was on the table, would he have played hardball with Avs management knowing that a genuinely good trade offer was out there?

 

[Blueline Bomber]

1 - Seems his playing style didn't mesh with the one RBA utilizes, and neither side wanted that to change so it didn't.

2 - You say that as if the trade was announced at 2:45pm or something, but I feel like there was more time to work with. Hell, the Marchand deal barely squeaked in under the deadline and there were a few that trickled through afterwards too. Yes, Mikko was the Canes GM's biggest trade chip so he wanted to make sure he didn't mess up negotiations - and for what it's worth Stankoven's one hell of a consolation prize, plus whatever those four picks end up being. What other deals were the Canes rumoured to be looking at?

The problem was that the Rantanen deal tied up too much money, and thus, we couldn’t make any more moves until he was off the books. There was a rumor that Carolina had all but wrapped up Rakell, but had to wait until the Rantanen deal happened. And there was also a rumor that a Boeser for KK + 1st was happening. Presumably one of the 1sts Carolina would have got from the Rantanen deal.

 

[Satan]

He literally had a list of 4 teams he was willing to play for at the end of the 4 Nations. He had clearly given it some thought before “after midnight on Thursday.”

OK fair point. I just found an article that said Tulsky was shopping Rantanen for 2 weeks - is it Rantanen's fault that Tulsky wasn't able to find common ground on a trade <24 hrs until the trade deadline? The Hurricanes significantly ignored the human element of the business. Hockey - and associated hockey transactions aren't played out on spreadsheets.

Inside the Mikko Rantanen sweepstakes and an Avalanche-Stars arms race on a playoff collision course

With a likely Stars-Avalanche first round in the cards, GMs Jill Nill and Chris MacFarland spoke to The Athletic about their deadline moves.

www.nytimes.com

“They started making calls,” Nill said. “There was a certain market for him. Carolina was doing the right thing. They had to make a decision — could they sign him, and if they couldn’t sign him, were they still going to keep him, go for a big run with the intention of signing him after? So there were a lot of variables. They’re doing their job by calling around to the teams that he’d either be willing to sign with or make sense as a trade. They started doing their work about two weeks before. We started talking and kept in touch. As the deadline got closer, it probably intensified in the last four, five days.”

 

[Klockis]

That still doesn't change it for the fans. He signed for the rival team. Doesn't matter one lick what his reasons were. Being a sports fan isn't supposed to be rational, it's about emotions.

I think the Avs fans can understand that from Mikko's point of view, it's a great deal. They can also say f*** your POV, this is how we feel.

"I'm mad because I'm choosing to be stupid"

 

[LOFIN]

"I'm mad because I'm choosing to be stupid"

Being invested in watching men chase around a rubber puck is inherently stupid to begin with. Such is sports.