Insider reveals Mikko Rantanen's massive ask on his next contract
TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun has stated what he believes Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche wants on his next deal, and it puts the team in a tough position
Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche is an elite NHL player, and it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone he wants elite money on his next contract.
The 28-year-old Rantanen has netted more than 100 points the last two NHL seasons, and is on track to do it again in 2024-25. He currently has 14 goals and 32 points in 23 games.
At $9.25 million per season for the last six years, The Colorado Avalanche, who recently put a longtime NHL journeyman on waivers, are very aware Mikko Rantanen is going to get a raise either with them or elsewhere.
If Colorado allows him to make it to free agency following this season without an extension, Mikko Rantanen can test the open market. TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun said Rantanen believes he'll get huge money elsewhere if the Avalanche aren't willing to pony up.
$14 million is also the rumoured amount that Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs on his next deal. Marner didn't break the 100 point mark in the past two seasons, but he was very close in both.
Giving Mikko Rantanen $14 million a year would make himthe NHL's highest paid player . Auston Matthews, who recently made a trip to Germany to get treatment for his injury, is the current leader at $13.25 million.
That kind of annual cap hit on a contract is going to be a tough one for the Colorado Avalanche. However, I firmly agree with Pierre LeBrun that Mikko Rantanen will have no issue getting it on the open market as he would be the most sought after free agent in years.
That leaves Colorado Avalanche President of Hockey operations Joe Sakic with little options but to either hope that Mikko Rantanen will stick with the team that drafted him and brought him a Stanley Cup, or offer him what he wants. Letting him walk seems unthinkable.
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Taylor Hall | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Brayden Point | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Brock Nelson | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Bryan Rust | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Pavel Zacha | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Quinn Hughes | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Carter Verhaeghe | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Erik Karlsson | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Elias Lindholm | - | 3 | 3 | |
| David Pastrnak | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Tim Stutzle | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Adam Gaudette | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Dylan Holloway | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Brad Marchand | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Aleksander Barkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Sam Bennett | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Sean Couturier | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Alex DeBrincat | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
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| Cutter Gauthier | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 23 | 18 | 5 | - | 36 | |
Hurricanes | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 33 | |
Wild | 22 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 32 | |
Devils | 25 | 15 | 8 | 2 | 32 | |
Capitals | 22 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 31 | |
Golden Knights | 23 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 31 | |
Maple Leafs | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Flames | 23 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 28 | |
Panthers | 23 | 13 | 9 | 1 | 27 | |
Kings | 23 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 27 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||