"No more bluffing" - Insider draws attention to Mikko Rantanen's unresolved contract extension with Avalanche

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman drew attention to the contract extension dispute between the Colorado Avalanche and Mikko Rantanen. The hockey analyst believes that the two sides need to set a deadline to get things moving. If they can't meet that deadline, then action will have to be taken. If they can, then this entire situation will finally be resolved.

Friedman said via Sportsnet:

"Rantanen and Colorado need a deadline. Deadlines spur action. No more bluffing, true cards on the table. The big question: do the Avalanche consider March 7 to be that deadline, or are they willing to take their chances if he’s unsigned by then?

"Even though Gabriel Landeskog signed in late July 2021, no one thought he was going to leave. Does everyone feel the same here?"

The Avalanche are in a precarious situation with Rantanen. If they can't get a deal done before the trade deadline, they might need to trade him away. Setting an earlier deadline for the deal forces the team to make a decision rather than getting left out if the forward leaves in free agency.

---

NHL insider pegs Boston Bruins as possible landing spot for Mikko Rantanen

If Mikko Rantanen is traded, Bleacher Report's Joe Yerdon predicted some possible landing spots. The San Jose Sharks, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins are among them.

Mikko Rantanen could be traded by the Avalanche (Imagn)

The Bruins fired their coach and have crawled back into the playoff race since, but Yerdon thinks they have more to do.

"The Bruins have a few needs (defense, center) but adding a player of Mikko Rantanen's caliber would assuredly spark an offense that's been too quiet for too long," the insider said.

"His ability to control the puck, create on the rush, and, yes, load up on the power play are all areas the Bruins need to improve."

He believes this move allows them to continue fighting for third in the division and avoid the increasingly muddied wild card race in the East this season.