Colorado Avalanche set to make NHL history with Mikko Rantanen extension
With the team working on an extension, the Colorado Avalanche is on the verge of making history by making Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon the highest-paid NHL duo.
The Colorado Avalanche has been one of the most impressive teams in the NHL for a while. Since moving and rebranding the franchise from the Quebec City Nordiques ahead of the 1995-1996 season, the team has secured a spot in the playoffs 20 of 28 chances. Additionally, the team lays claim to 3 Stanley Cup wins, most recently defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 in 2022.
Among the star-studded team is a pair of highly competent players who have emerged as a key forward duo: Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. As of the end of March, the two came in third for most prolific point-earning pairs since the 2015-16 season, landing only slightly shy of Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
1. Connor McDavid & Leon Draisaitl - 1,803
2. Nikita Kucherov & Steven Stamkos - 1,393
3. Nathan MacKinnon & Mikko Rantanen - 1,391
4. Brad Marchand & David Pastrnak - 1,388
5. Sidney Crosby & Evgeni Malkin - 1,309"
Unsurprisingly, the Colorado Avalanche is reportedly working on an extension with the 27-year-old forward Mikko Rantanen, who is entering the final year of his 6-year contract worth over $9 million annually. According to inside sources, the contract is expected to last longer than his current one.
The #GoAvsGo and F Mikko Rantanen are closing in on long term contract extension
On the last year of his 6 year $9.25M deal
The deal is expected to be around 7-8 years"
Nathan MacKinnon is on a contract worth $12.6 million annually until 2031, making the duo's combined yearly earnings $21.85 million. With an expected increase in contract length and salary, the pair could become the highest-paid dynamic duo in NHL history if they eke out ahead of Auston Matthews and William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who currently earn a combined $24.75 million annually.
Though details of his upcoming contract are not revealed, there is little doubt that Mikko Rantanen will get a comfortable salary from the Colorado Avalanche. Whether he can guarantee a contract that pays more than $12.15 million yearly, however, may be too much of a stretch to pull off.
Source: PuckPedia
Salary Cap Summary
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 18 | 196 ANSWERS Colorado Avalanche set to make NHL history with Mikko Rantanen extension Will Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon become the highest paid NHL duo? | ||
| No, behind Matthews/Nylander | 50 | 25.5 % |
| No, tied with Matthes/Nylander | 63 | 32.1 % |
| Yes | 83 | 42.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Brandon Hagel | - | 5 | 5 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Nico Hischier | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Macklin Celebrini | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jakob Chychrun | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Seth Jarvis | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Zachary Bolduc | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Will Cuylle | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Lars Eller | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jake Guentzel | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alex Iafallo | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Ivan Ivan | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Drake Batherson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Simon Edvinsson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jack Eichel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Morgan Frost | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Miro Heiskanen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 22 | 18 | 4 | - | 36 | |
Devils | 24 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 32 | |
Hurricanes | 21 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 31 | |
Wild | 21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 | |
Golden Knights | 22 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 30 | |
Capitals | 21 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 29 | |
Maple Leafs | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Flames | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 20 | 13 | 7 | - | 26 | |
Rangers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||