Elliotte Friedman Links Two Canadian Teams to Superstar Mikko Rantanen in Possible Trade
Mikko Rantanen may shockingly be on the move again this season, and now we know at least two Canadian teams that could be after the superstar forward.
Mikko Rantanen was just traded to the Carolina Hurricanes this season, but with little optimism about a long-term contract, it appears as though he may be on the move again in 2024/25.
Now, Elliotte Friedman has unveiled a list of teams that could be after Rantanen this season, with two major Canadian contenders in the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs listed as interested parties.
The biggest issue in Carolina is that Rantanen may move on this summer, with the team acquiring him in the hopes of extending him long-term, but for all of those teams mentioned, Rantanen could be a pure rental that helps them chase a Stanley Cup in 2025.
The other factor in play here for acquiring teams is that the Blackhawks are also eating salary on his current deal, with the Hurricanes or another team also able to do the same if he's moved, making his contract one that many teams could absorb for the remainder of this season.
It may not be a guarantee that Mikko is on the move again this season, but it became clear that GM Eric Tulsky and the 'Canes were looking to get him for many years to come, and if that doesn't happen, it would be very easy to see them move him.
There aren't many stars available at this trade deadline, so with many contending teams looking for major upgrades, expect the next few weeks to feature immense interest in No. 96, and if the Hurricanes get the right offer, don't be shocked to see him moved again.
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Tom Wilson | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Alexander Ovechkin | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Brendan Gallagher | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Josh Doan | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Pierre-Luc Dubois | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dylan Guenther | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Victor Hedman | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jack McBain | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dylan Strome | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jake Guentzel | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Michael Carcone | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Christian Dvorak | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Zemgus Girgensons | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nick Paul | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brayden Point | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Cam Atkinson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| John Carlson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nick Desimone | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 56 | 39 | 14 | 3 | 81 | |
Capitals | 55 | 36 | 11 | 8 | 80 | |
Oilers | 55 | 34 | 17 | 4 | 72 | |
Stars | 55 | 35 | 18 | 2 | 72 | |
Golden Knights | 56 | 33 | 17 | 6 | 72 | |
Panthers | 57 | 34 | 20 | 3 | 71 | |
Hurricanes | 56 | 33 | 19 | 4 | 70 | |
Wild | 56 | 33 | 19 | 4 | 70 | |
Maple Leafs | 55 | 33 | 20 | 2 | 68 | |
Avalanche | 57 | 33 | 22 | 2 | 68 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||