Report: Former Avs superstar Mikko Rantanen on verge of another trade

Former Colorado Avalanche superstar Mikko Rantanen is on the verge of being on the move again.

After just 12 games with the Carolina Hurricanes following the trade from Colorado in late January, Rantanen is likely headed to the Dallas Stars. If so, he’ll re-join the Western Conference and the Central Division, with a decent possibility the Avs and Stars meet in the first-round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet had the following report late Thursday night.

Uncertain about exact details and the possibility of an extension at this time. But we are headed down this road. West playoffs are going to be bruuuuuuuutal

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 7, 2025

On Rantanen: hearing Stars/Hurricanes have framework of a deal…we will see on extension over the next few hours

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 7, 2025

Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland moved Rantanen for Martin Necas and Jack Drury from the Hurricanes. It sounded like Colorado and Rantanen’s camp weren’t going to be able to get a contract extension done, so the Avs got back solid value before he possibly left this summer in free agency for nothing.

Carolina and Rantanen’s camp seemingly can’t work out a new deal either, so they might be moving him to Dallas to get some pieces back. The NHL trade deadline is Friday at 1:00 p.m. MT.

It hasn’t quite worked for Rantanen with the Hurricanes, although the sample size is insanely small. In 12 games he has two goals and four assists, and sounded genuinely surprised the Avalanche moved him in the first place.

Rantanen will seemingly get another fresh start in Dallas, which has 84 points, good for second in the Central. Colorado and Minnesota both have 76 points, as they battle for the third spot in division. With the way the playoffs are formatted, the No. 2 seed will play the No. 3 seed, hence why the Avs and Stars very well might meet.

In the meantime, Rantanen would make his return to Ball Arena on Sunday, March 16 in an afternoon contest. That would likely include a video tribute and a standing ovation from the fans.

Rantanen tallied at least 100 points each of the last two seasons for the Avalanche, and scored 55 goals during the 2022-23 season. He had 42 goals last year and through 49 games this season had 25 goals and 39 assists, good for 64 points.

Mikko Rantanen made his debut in the 2015-16 season season with the Avs, and had played all 10 years of his NHL career in Colorado, winning a championship with the club in 2022.

Rantanen recorded 681 points (287 goals, 394 assists) in 619 career games with Colorado, ranking him seventh on the franchise’s all-time lists in points and assists and sixth in goals. He also had 101 points (34 goals, 67 assists) in 81 playoff contests.

Now, Rantanen could play on a Western Conference rival and the team that bounced the Avalanche in the playoffs last season. Stay tuned and get ready to buckle up.

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