We’ve got some more NHL rumours as we speed towards the NHL trade deadline. The deadline wraps up at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. However, there is plenty of last-minute fervor surrounding the big moment. General managers are scrambling to make moves that will bolster their Stanley Cup chances. We’ve already seen some massive moves, but more could be coming. One team that could be making a major move is the Dallas Stars. This edition of NHL rumours deals with them taking a swing at a Carolina Hurricanes forward.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes Working on Deal for Star Forward
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman offered his latest update on the Mikko Rantanen situation. Friedman said that the Stars and the Hurricanes have a “framework” for a potential deal. However, it’s not a done deal as of late last night according to the insider.
Analysis: It seems that the Hurricanes weren’t able to make an extension happen with the Finnish forward. Hurricanes General Manager Eric Tulsky made a big swing in landing Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche. However, it looks like a contract extension wasn’t able to happen.
Carolina made a massive move last trade deadline in landing Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, the Hurricanes weren’t able to make a contract extension happen. The Guentzel deal turned into one painful rental and Tulsky doesn’t want to repeat that mistake.
Friedman mentioned that the particulars have been agreed to. However, the deal won’t get more momentum until the Stars are comfortable in getting a deal done. The insider mentions that the contract extension will be a vital component in starting the trade process.
Carolina had received multiple offers for Rantanen, but it seems that the offer from Dallas is the most compelling one. There would likely have to be a massive haul coming the other way in order to make this deal a thing.
What It Means
Dallas has already been active in getting Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks. However, Stars General Manager Jim Nill may not be done cooking up a major move for his team. Dallas got to the Western Conference Final last year, but it wants to get back to the Stanley Cup Final or even win it all.
However, TSN’s Darren Dreger said that Carolina may have to consider other offers. He said there’s no deal at this time between Rantanen and the Stars. That doesn’t mean that a deal may not happen. However, the clock is ticking and things could get a bit gnarly.
Tulsky doesn’t want to have a repeat of what happened to Guentzel last year. He’s going to have to get something out of Rantanen or risk letting him walk away for nothing.
This is an ever-changing situation and Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff said the deal is conditional based on a contract extension. Dreger adds that the Stars are willing go upwards of $12 million per season to extend him.
Main photo by: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
