Mikko Rantanen has reportedly paused discussions on a contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche, sparking trade rumors.
According to Adrian Dater’s recent Substack Newsletter, the Avalanche superstar is halting talks as the season begins. As a pending unrestricted free agent who recently scored a hat trick on opening night, Rantanen aims to leverage his performance for a significantly better deal than his current $ 9.25 million contract.
Dater’s report, which is behind a paywall, states that while summer reports hinted at a lucrative extension being “close,” the two sides remain at an impasse. He noted that Rantanen will not entertain any new extension discussions during the regular season. Rantanen and his agent had engaged in talks with the Avalanche over the summer and into the fall, but no agreement was reached.
MIKKO RANTANEN HAT TRICK!!! 🎩🎩🎩 #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/bKtPhoYu18
— NHL (@NHL) October 10, 2024
Dater adds:
“I Rantanen’s camp, in fact, does not entertain any extension talks during the regular season, that means it’s possible the Avs could lose him to unrestricted free agency next July 1st. If the Avs think it’s unlikely he’d come to terms on a new deal, he could become trade bait to another team by the NHL trade deadline of March 7th, 2025.”
Would the Colorado Avalanche actually consider trading Rantanen? It seems unlikely, but if the team finds themselves outside the playoff picture and believes he’ll demand too high a price, anything could happen.
If Dater’s report holds true, it spells trouble for the Avalanche. There’s a significant risk in letting a player of Rantanen’s caliber enter unrestricted free agency.
Rantanen Is A Bonafide NHL Superstar
Rantanen plays a crucial role in the team’s offense and, at just 27 years old, has many prime years ahead. Last season, he scored 42 goals and 104 points, just shy of the 105 points he achieved in 2022-23. The Avalanche should not even consider moving him without first making a serious attempt at securing an eight-year extension at around $ 13 million per season Leon Draisaitl recently signed a $ 14 million contract extension with oilers and $92 million per season
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