Is it though? For one thing, Vancouver was reportedly asking for Necas for Miller. One can only imagine what their asking price was for EP40. It's reasonable to assume at least one of our high tier prospects not named Nikishin would've been required for EP like say Morrow, and it's safe to assume KK was required for both Miller, and definitely EP, in addition to Necas. After we traded Drury for Rantanen, I think it's safe to say the front office, and probably Rod, like KK better than Drury.
Then we look at Rantanen's production history, and he's just consistently a super-star tier player unlike EP and Miller. Colorado fans saying he's lazy the past few years while he posted 92, 105, and 104 points over the past 3 years sounds like they are either (A) coping with the loss of Rantanen from the team roster, (B) have an embarassment of riches situation when he isn't posted multiple points every game because they're used to highly elite production since they also have MacKinnon and Makar (C), they geniunely think he's somehow not that great and you wonder what a non-lazy/non-careless Rantanen looks like after all of his point production in his career.
If he's gotten lazy/careless in recent years, why did he not reach 90 points until 3 years ago? Before that season (21-22), he had two seasons in the 80s. One at 84 points, and another at 87. Furthermore, it was early in his NHL career when he had two seasons with a negative rating. -25 and -2. All of his other seasons have been at a plus rating after.
TLDR:
-We didn't get Rantanen because, oh it's Carolina moneypucking things again (those cheap, analytical driven silly rascals; this is a trite narrative) because they got 50% rentention for a rental versus expensive long term contracts.
-Rantanen is overall the better player performance wise than Miller or EP. Like at drafts, we typically go for the best player available. Rantanen was the best forward available.
-The trade cost was cheaper than EP, and Rantanen's trade cost was probably similiar for Miller too since they wanted Necas for Miller. Never mind the fact that Miller is about 4 years older than Rantanen at the age of almost 32 (this March). Aren't you a fan that's pointed out Carolina's reculantance to committ to long term, expensive contracts with older players like so many of us (I have)?
Why do you think 14 million dollars is the only number he's willing to sign? Considering the fact that just today he was saying he was willing to sign with Colorado for a discount. Even if that's not true, the fact that he made that public comment now means he's kind of backed himself into a corner with us, and he would look bad and like a liar if he was only willing to sign for 14 million. I doubt he signs for even 13.5.
I also read that Carolina, unlike Colorado, is willing to sign him for 8 years instead of only 7. Don't know how true that speculation is, but it's out there in the recent contract discussion in the public.
Also, how is it moneypuck for a player you think is only gonna sign for 14 million? How would our front office think Rantanen was a moneypuck move with his extension being one of the most expensive in the league even if it likely will be under 14 million?
canucksarmy.com
