The Hurricanes have a deal in place to trade Mikko Rantanen to the Stars that is contingent on the winger signing an extension in Dallas, sources told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
The Stars and Rantanen’s camp continue to talk ahead of Friday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline.
The Hurricanes, who traded for Rantanen in January in a massive three-way deal, tried to sign the 28-year-old winger to an extension. However, Rantanen told Carolina he wasn’t ready to make a decision, sources told ESPN, which led to the Hurricanes fielding offers from several teams.
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Rantanen’s desire for a massive new contract has been a sticking point in determining his NHL future. He has reportedly been seeking a contract in the neighborhood of the eight-year extension Leon Draisaitl signed with the Edmonton Oilers in September that carries an average annual value of $14 million. Both Rantanen and Draisaitl are represented by agent Andy Scott. It’s a figure some teams have balked at ahead of the trade deadline.
Rantanen has 27 goals and 70 points this season. The 6-foot-4 power forward posted a career-high 55 goals with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022-23 and followed that with 42 in 2023-24.
