NHL Rumors: Insider names the price on Mikko Rantanen's projected Hurricanes contract after blockbuster trade

Mikko Rantanen is now a Carolina Hurricane. In a stunning blockbuster trade on Jan. 24, Rantanen was traded to Carolina in a three-way deal with the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks. Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and two draft picks were sent to Colorado in return for the superstar winger.

Despite having sent so much in return, there have been no talks of an extension between Rantanen and the Hurricanes. It's a similar situation to the Jake Guentzel acquisition they made during the 2023-24 season. This time, general manager Eric Tulsky will do everything he can to avoid another star leaving as a UFA.

TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun wrote an article following the trade in which he shared some insights on what Mikko Rantenen's next contract could look like.

"My point is that Carolina will want to put its best foot forward and not risk getting too close to July 1 with Rantanen. I can assure you Rantanen’s ask on the market July 1 is $14 million plus, with the emphasis on the plus. But of course that would be on a seven-year deal," Lebrun wrote.

LeBrun also mentioned that Rantanen and Sebastian Aho are very close friends, which will play a part in his decision. However, the Colorado Avalanche would be the first to say business comes first.

Mikko Rantanen is certainly worthy of asking for $14 million or more annually on his next contract. The 28-year-old has racked up 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in just 49 games during the 2024-25 campaign. This puts him on pace to surpass the 100-point mark for the third consecutive season.

Mikko Rantanen will make his Carolina Hurricanes debut on Saturday night

Mikko Rantanen won't have to wait long to make his debut as a Hurricane. Less than 24 hours after being traded, the Finnish forward will be in the Carolina lineup for the Jan. 25 matchup with the New York Islanders.

Rantanen and Sebastian Aho played together during the 2015 and 2016 World Junior Hockey Championships. You can expect to see the fellow countrymen reunited on a line on the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Canes currently hold the second seed in the Metropolitan Division with 63 points, eight points behind the Washington Capitals (71 points). They believe the addition of a superstar of Mikko Rantanen's caliber will help push them over the top as they chase down the division title and eventually the Stanley Cup.

The new-look Hurricanes are in New York to take on the Islanders tonight at UBS Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. EST.