The Colorado Avalanche faced a loss against the Vegas Golden Knights in their season opener on Wednesday night. Without Mikko Rantanen, nicknamed “The Moose,” the team appeared quite lackluster; he scored three goals, achieving his eighth career hat trick. During the previous Stanley Cup-winning season, he recorded the highest number of hat tricks in his career, totaling three. A major offseason narrative was the speculation around Rantanen’s potential contract extension, which did not materialize.
Currently, the Avalanche are limited in cap space, impacted by two significant contracts on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) from Valeri Nichushkin and Gabriel Landeskog, alongside Nathan MacKinnon‘s newly activated contract extension. With recent massive contract extensions for wingers like William Nylander and David Pastrnak, questions arise about what Rantanen’s deal could entail and when a final decision might be reached. Insiders indicate that discussions over an extension may take time.
Could an Extension Happen Before Season’s End?
Rantanen has indicated he will not negotiate a contract extension during the regular season, according to reporter Adrian Dater on his Substack (via Pro Hockey Rumors). He highlights that his sources contradict earlier reports suggesting that an agreement was close.
Dater mentions that Rantanen’s camp might leverage the potential for free agency next summer to pressure Avalanche management. If the team fears they can’t secure Rantanen long-term, it could trigger trade rumors. Losing him would be a significant blow to Colorado, but trading him could yield a considerable return.
Pierre LeBrun adds on “Insider Trading” that “I really don’t think anything is imminent at this moment.”
This is a crucial discussion point for the Avalanche this season as they navigate cap management for the returns of Landeskog and Nichushkin and evaluate the possibility of re-signing Jonathan Drouin, who recently signed a one-year deal for under $ 1 million.
Recent contract extensions for other players suggest that Rantanen’s potential deal could be in the range of 11 million per year. For example, William Nylander secured 11.5 million, and David Pastrnak received 11.25 million—salaries that reflect their talent, age, and contributions to their teams. A crucial point to consider is that Rantanen shares an agent, Andy Scott, with Leon Draisaitl, who recently inked a massive 14 million-a-year extension, totaling ** $ 112 million**
While it’s unlikely Rantanen will reach $14 million per season, Nathan macl $12 Million.
If reports are correct, Rantanen may hold off on discussions as the season progresses. Should he maintain his strong performance from game one and achieve significant career numbers, his value could rise, increasing pressure on the front office to finalize a deal before he becomes unaffordable for Colorado.
Rantanen’s Impact on the Avalanche Deserves a Raise
Rantanen is a vital component of the Avalanche core. Since joining the NHL, he has been one of the league’s most productive wingers, often overshadowed by linemate MacKinnon. In the 2022-23 season, Rantanen excelled, hitting the 50-goal (55) and 100-point (105) milestones for the first time, marking his third consecutive season of improved performance. In the 2023-24 season, he continued to impress with 42 goals and a career-high 62 assists, totaling 104 points, ranking him eighth in the NHL ahead of notable players like Nylander, Sidney Crosby, and Kirill Kaprizov. His versatility as a top right-winger and ability to play center enhances his value.
In the playoffs, Rantanen has been exceptional, particularly during the 2021-22 Stanley Cup run, accumulating 34 goals and 67 assists over 81 playoff games, totaling 101 points. He ranks fifth all-time in playoff goals, with one more tying him with Michel Goulet. He is also third in assists (67), fourth in all-time playoff points, and tied for seventh in power-play goals (one more surpasses Peter Stastny). At 27 years old, Rantanen has established himself in both regular season and playoff records, steadily increasing his profile as the Avalanche aim for continued playoff success.
The salary cap situation, which was a concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now gradually improving and allowing players like Rantanen to seek lucrative contracts as the cap rises each season. Drafted in 2015, he has consistently elevated his game as both a goal scorer and playmaker. The organization should prioritize extending him, given that he is in his prime and contributing significantly as the team competes at a high level.
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