Uncertainty persists over Mikko Rantanen’s future with the Carolina Hurricanes during NHL trade deadline week.
Mikko Rantanen (James Guillory-Imagn Images)
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported last Thursday that contract talks continued between management and Rantanen’s representatives. He claimed the Hurricanes intended to keep the 28-year-old right winger for the rest of the season even if he hadn’t re-signed by the trade deadline.
TSN’s Chris Johnston indicated Rantanen was expected to let the Hurricanes know his intentions by the end of the weekend. However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday it’s unlikely he’ll make that decision by the deadline.
According to Friedman, the issue isn’t the contract but the lack of time Rantanen has had to process getting traded by the Colorado Avalanche and adjust to his new location. He doubted the Hurricanes offered Rantanen $14 million per season on an eight-year deal, speculating the total amount would be slightly over $100 million, breaking down to around $12.5 million per season.
Friedman believes the Hurricanes will decide within the next couple of days if they’ll hang onto Rantanen or trade him. He pointed out that they are the only team that can offer him the maximum eight-year contract if he’s still on their roster at the trade deadline.
Meanwhile, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Thursday that there was still no indication the New York Islanders were shopping Brock Nelson.
The 33-year-old two-way center will draw lots of attention if he becomes available, but the Islanders are still hoping to re-sign him. GM Lou Lamoriello could stretch this out to deadline day.
Turning to the Buffalo Sabres, they remain the focus of media trade chatter.
TSN’s Chris Johnston reported that interest remains in center Dylan Cozens, right winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli said the Sabres have rejected calls about JJ Peterka, but the volume of calls is increasing as interest rises in the 23-year-old left winger.
Johnston pointed out that GM Kevyn Adams hasn’t received suitable offers for those players. He isn’t interested in draft picks and prospects, preferring a hockey trade comparable to last season’s swap of Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado for Byram last year.
In Vancouver, it was reported Brock Boeser rejected an five-year contract offer from the Canucks with an average annual value of $8 million. It’s believed the 28-year-old right winger wanted a long-term deal.
The Canucks are expected to make one more offer before the trade deadline. If Boeser rejects it, they could trade him or keep him as an “own rental” as they jockey for a playoff spot. The Hockey News’ Adam Kierszenblat said keeping Boeser as a rental would be a lost opportunity to build for the future if they can’t re-sign him this off-season either.
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