Mikko Rantanen’s contract extension has been the elephant in the room.
TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun reported that Rantanen and his camp believe they can make $14 million per year on the open market.
With the salary cap rising, that is certainly not out of the question. However, the Colorado Avalanche will not pay $14 million.
LeBrun suggested the Avalanche will likely use MacKinnon’s $12.6 million average annual value in their negotiations. He also said that Rantanen’s camp will likely use the percentage of cap hit (when MacKinnon signed) to leverage more than $12.6 million.
The Avalanche have until July 1st to come to an agreement with Rantanen before he hits the open market. LeBrun believes Rantanen and the Avalanche will come to an agreement before the deadline. The number is expected to be between $12.6 and $14 million.
Rantanen has also suggested he would like to stay in Denver.
“Obviously I like the team, I like the city,” Rantanen said before the season. “If we win the Stanley Cup here, why would I want to leave? That’s the only thing I will say about it.”
The 28-year-old is off to his typical pace through 27 games this season. He has 15 goals and 20 assists. That puts him on pace for 45 goals and 60 assists. He had 105 points in 2022-23 and 104 points in 2023-24.
If Rantanen took a $14 million deal on the open market, he won’t be playing on a line with a player of MacKinnon’s caliber. Rantanen has been a perfect fit for MacKinnon. It would be interesting to see how productive both players would be without each other. Rantanen has spent almost his entire career on MacKinnon’s line.
Rantanen’s agents will likely continue to do their jobs and command as much as possible. All signs continue to point toward Rantanen agreeing to a deal with the Avalanche. At what cost? That’s the big question.