Colorado Avalanche set to make NHL history with Mikko Rantanen extension

The Colorado Avalanche has been one of the most impressive teams in the NHL for a while. Since moving and rebranding the franchise from the Quebec City Nordiques ahead of the 1995-1996 season, the team has secured a spot in the playoffs 20 of 28 chances. Additionally, the team lays claim to 3 Stanley Cup wins, most recently defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 in 2022.

Among the star-studded team is a pair of highly competent players who have emerged as a key forward duo: Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. As of the end of March, the two came in third for most prolific point-earning pairs since the 2015-16 season, landing only slightly shy of Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Unsurprisingly, the Colorado Avalanche is reportedly working on an extension with the 27-year-old forward Mikko Rantanen, who is entering the final year of his 6-year contract worth over $9 million annually. According to inside sources, the contract is expected to last longer than his current one.

Nathan MacKinnon is on a contract worth $12.6 million annually until 2031, making the duo's combined yearly earnings $21.85 million. With an expected increase in contract length and salary, the pair could become the highest-paid dynamic duo in NHL history if they eke out ahead of Auston Matthews and William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who currently earn a combined $24.75 million annually.

Though details of his upcoming contract are not revealed, there is little doubt that Mikko Rantanen will get a comfortable salary from the Colorado Avalanche. Whether he can guarantee a contract that pays more than $12.15 million yearly, however, may be too much of a stretch to pull off.

Source: PuckPedia
Salary Cap Summary