The Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars are currently engaged in discussions regarding a potential trade for superstar forward Mikko Rantanen, according to ESPN's Emily Kaplan. This trade, however, is contingent upon Rantanen signing a contract extension with the Stars. As the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline approaches, both teams are intensifying their negotiations, as reported on Friday.
While the specifics of the trade remain uncertain, it has been indicated that the extension for Rantanen, who is a pending unrestricted free agent, will play a significant role in the discussions. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported late Thursday that the framework for sending Rantanen from Carolina to Dallas is actively being evaluated.
The Hurricanes acquired Rantanen in January as part of a three-way blockbuster trade that saw Martin Necas head to the Colorado Avalanche. Rantanen has demonstrated impressive skill in recent seasons, finishing back-to-back campaigns with over 100 points. In his current season, Rantanen has maintained a similar scoring pace through 49 games with the Avalanche. However, since joining the Hurricanes, he has struggled to find his rhythm, recording only two goals and four assists in 13 games.
The financial aspect of Rantanen's contract adds an interesting layer to the trade discussions. The 28-year-old forward carries a cap hit of $4.625 million, a figure that was reduced thanks to the Chicago Blackhawks retaining 50% of his salary during the January trade. Should the Hurricanes or another team decide to retain an additional 50%, Rantanen's cap hit could drop to an appealing $2.23 million.
The Dallas Stars currently have room within their salary cap, despite having recently acquired forward Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks in February. The Stars are benefitting from the long-term injured reserve status of Tyler Seguin, who carries a hefty $9.85 million cap hit for the remainder of the regular season. Additionally, the status of Miro Heiskanen, who is on a month-to-month recovery timeline following knee surgery, remains uncertain, further complicating the team's roster dynamics.
As the clock ticks down to the trade deadline, the potential trade of Mikko Rantanen from the Hurricanes to the Stars is one to watch. With ongoing negotiations and various factors at play, including contract extensions and salary cap implications, both teams are navigating a complex landscape in the pursuit of bolstering their rosters for the remainder of the season.
