Hurricanes exploring all options on Mikko Rantanen

The Carolina Hurricanes have a decision to make on Mikko Rantanen before Friday’s trade deadline. Elliotte Friedman writes about the options they are considering.

Hurricanes exploring all options on Mikko Rantanen

Closing in on Friday’s 3pm ET trade deadline with a quickie blog for a Wednesday night.

According to multiple sources, the Carolina Hurricanes are doing their Mikko Rantanen due diligence, checking out potential returns as either a rental or with an extension — assuming he’s willing to sign anywhere before July 1.

Among the teams believed to be very interested are Toronto, Dallas and Los Angeles — although that’s a ridiculously incomplete list. Who wouldn’t want him at a $2.3 million cap hit, if Carolina retained 50 per cent of Rantanen’s salary. But, a trade return would be much better for the Hurricanes if Rantanen agreed to extend with a new team, something else everyone’s trying to determine. 

There are teams willing to step up in exchange for long-term security.

If Carolina does not like the offers, they can keep the winger and make a run. But they have opened the door and we will see where this goes.