Mikko Rantanen was traded to the Dallas Stars by the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday and then signed an eight-year, $96 million deal with Dallas.
The contract has an average annual value of $12 million.
In return for Rantanen, the Hurricanes received forward Logan Stankoven, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, a third-round pick in the 2026 draft and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
It is the second time the 28-year-old has been traded in less than two months. He was acquired by the Hurricanes in a three-team trade with the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 24.
He was in the final season final season of a six-year, $55.5 million contract ($9.25 million AAV) he signed with the Avalanche on Sept. 28, 2019, and could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
“It’s been crazy,” Rantanen told TSN. “It was the first time I’ve been traded from Colorado and it happened quick, everything, and all of a sudden you’re on a new team for the first time and then this situation comes with the contract and stuff, so it’s been something that I never thought I would fully experience, but here we are.”
His pending free agency is the reason the Avalanche dealt him long before the NHL Trade Deadline. He said there were several reasons for not signing in Carolina.
“I think at the time obviously I had to look at all the options because there was no deal when the trade happened,” he said. “It was kind of a situation where I had to think about my life for a long period of time, not only on the ice but also off the ice. Obviously, it’s a really good team in Carolina, the last couple of years they’ve been close to the Stanley Cup. But I think the fit in Dallas and I’ve been thinking a lot about it with myself and my camp and [my girlfriend] Susanna and everything. Just the fit I feel like everywhere, I think that was what the decision was.”
Rantanen is tied for 11th in the NHL this season with 70 points (27 goals, 43 assists) in 62 games, but he only had six points (two goals, four assists) in 13 games with Carolina, including no points in a 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins on Thursday.
The Stars (41-19-2) are second in the Central Division with 84 points, six behind the NHL-best Winnipeg Jets, having played one less game.
The Hurricanes (37-22-4) are in second place in the Metropolitan Division, 10 points behind the Washington Capitals.
“It’s hard to single out one team, so I wouldn’t say it was just one team,” Rantanen said. “When you look around at your situation and you see what’s best for you, and that’s what I was kind of doing for a month or so and think about everything. But just the fit in Dallas and just to be a part of the group, it’s a great team and they have been successful the last couple of years, so hopefully I can jump in there and help the team.”
Selected by the Avalanche with the No. 10 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, Rantanen has 687 points (289 goals, 398 assists) in 632 regular-season games with Colorado and Carolina, including 371 points (160 goals, 211 assists) in 299 games over the past four seasons, which ranks seventh in the NHL.
He also has 101 points (34 goals, 67 assists) in 81 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 20 games in 2022, when he helped the Avalanche win the Cup for the first time since 2001.
“The chance to acquire and extend one of the best forwards in the NHL is an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “He demonstrates exceptional skill and vision on the ice and his size, consistency and versatility make him one of the most complete players in the League. Mikko’s experience in the postseason is an invaluable asset to our team as we work toward the goal of winning a Stanley Cup. We are thrilled that Mikko wants to wear Victory Green and make Dallas his new home for the foreseeable future.”
Stankoven has 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in 59 games this season. The 22-year-old had 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 24 regular-season games in 2023-24, and eight points (three goals, five assists) in 19 playoff games.
Stankoven, who was selected by Dallas in the second round (No. 47) of the 2021 NHL Draft, has one season remaining on his three-year, entry-level contract he signed with the Stars on Sept. 28, 2021.
Dallas has won four in a row and seven of its past eight. The Stars will look to take the next step after losing in six games to the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final last season. The Stars last reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2020, losing in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Carolina has won three in a row and has its eyes set on a seventh straight playoff berth, having won at least one round in each of the past six postseasons.
If the 2026 first-round pick is in the top 10, the Stars the would be able to convey the pick to an unprotected first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. The 2028 first-round pick carries the same conditions.
