Mikko Rantanen was traded to the Dallas Stars by the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday after which signed an eight-year, $96 million take care of Dallas.
The contract has a mean annual worth of $12 million.
In return for Rantanen, the Hurricanes obtained ahead Logan Stankoven, a conditional first-round choose within the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round choose within the 2028 NHL Draft, a third-round choose within the 2026 draft and a third-round choose within the 2027 NHL Draft.
It’s the second time the 28-year-old has been traded in lower than two months. He was acquired by the Hurricanes in a three-team commerce with the Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 24.
He was within the remaining season remaining season of a six-year, $55.5 million contract ($9.25 million AAV) he signed with the Colorado Avalanche on Sept. 28, 2019, and will have turn out to be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
“It’s been loopy,” Rantanen advised TSN. “It was the primary time I’ve been traded from Colorado and it occurred fast, every thing, and swiftly you’re on a brand new group for the primary time after which this example comes with the contract and stuff, so it’s been one thing that I by no means thought I’d absolutely expertise, however right here we’re.”
His pending free company is the explanation the Avalanche dealt him lengthy earlier than the NHL Commerce Deadline. He mentioned there have been a number of causes for not signing in Carolina.
“I believe on the time clearly I had to have a look at all of the choices as a result of there was no deal when the commerce occurred,” he mentioned. “It was sort of a scenario the place I had to consider my life for a protracted time frame, not solely on the ice but additionally off the ice. Clearly, it’s a extremely good group in Carolina, the final couple of years they’ve been near the Stanley Cup. However I believe the slot in Dallas and I’ve been considering rather a lot about it with myself and my camp and (my girlfriend) Susanna and every thing. Simply the match I really feel like in all places, I believe that was what the choice was.”
Rantanen is tied for eleventh within the NHL this season with 70 factors (27 objectives, 43 assists) in 62 video games, however he solely had six factors (two objectives, 4 assists) in 13 video games with Carolina, together with no factors in a 3-2 win in opposition to the Boston Bruins on Thursday.
The Stars (41-19-2) are second within the Central Division with 84 factors, six behind the NHL-best Winnipeg Jets having performed one much less recreation.
The Hurricanes (37-22-4) are in second place within the Metropolitan Division, 10 factors behind the Washington Capitals.
“It’s exhausting to single out one group, so I wouldn’t say it was only one group,” Rantanen mentioned. “Once you go searching at your scenario and also you see what’s finest for you, and that’s what I used to be sort of doing for a month or so and take into consideration every thing. However simply the slot in Dallas and simply to be part of the group, it’s a terrific group they usually have been profitable the final couple of years, so hopefully I can soar in there and assist the group.”
Chosen by the Avalanche with the No. 10 choose within the 2015 NHL Draft, Rantanen has 687 factors (289 objectives, 398 assists) in 632 regular-season video games with Colorado and Carolina, together with 371 factors (160 objectives, 211 assists) in 299 video games over the previous 4 seasons, which ranks seventh within the NHL.
He additionally has 101 factors (34 objectives, 67 assists) in 81 Stanley Cup Playoff video games, together with 25 factors (5 objectives, 20 assists) in 20 video games in 2022, when he helped the Avalanche win the Cup for the primary time since 2001.
“The prospect to amass and prolong the most effective forwards within the NHL is a chance that we couldn’t cross up,” Stars normal supervisor Jim Nill mentioned. “He demonstrates distinctive ability and imaginative and prescient on the ice and his measurement, consistency and flexibility make him some of the full gamers within the League. Mikko’s expertise within the postseason is a useful asset to our group as we work towards the objective of successful a Stanley Cup. We’re thrilled that Mikko desires to put on Victory Inexperienced and make Dallas his new house for the foreseeable future.”
Stankoven has 29 factors (9 objectives, 20 assists) in 59 video games this season. The 22-year-old had 14 factors (six objectives, eight assists) in 24 regular-season video games in 2023-24, and eight factors (three objectives, 5 assists) in 19 playoff video games.
Stankoven, who was chosen by Dallas within the second spherical (No. 47) of the 2021 NHL Draft, has one season remaining on his three-year, entry-level contract he signed with the Stars on Sept. 28, 2021.
Dallas has received 4 in a row and 7 of its previous eight. The Stars will look to take the subsequent step after shedding in six video games to the Edmonton Oilers within the Western Convention Remaining final season. The Stars final reached the Stanley Cup Remaining in 2020, shedding in six video games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Carolina has received three in a row and has its eyes set on a seventh straight playoff berth, having received a minimum of one spherical in every of the previous six postseasons.
If the 2026 first-round choose is within the prime 10, the Stars the would have the ability convey the choose to an unprotected first-round choose within the 2027 NHL Draft. The 2028 first-round choose carries the identical circumstances.
