Insider Andy Strickland reveals that Mikko Rantanen will sign with a Canadian team this summer
Mikko Rantanen was just traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, but now it appears one insider believes he's heading to Edmonton in the off-season.
The Carolina Hurricanes just acquired Mikko Rantanen in the past few days, but now, there's already speculation on his future ahead of his free agency in the summer.
Unsurprisingly, reporters have now already linked him to a move north of the border, with Andy Strickland predicting that he could join Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in Edmonton.
On paper, a top-six that includes Rantanan, McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins and a sixth piece would be easily the best in the entire NHL, but how exactly would they pull that off?
Rantanen reportedly turned down $11.75 million a season from the Colorado Avalanche, instead looking to get the $14 million mark that Draisaitl signed last off-season in Edmonton, so it's very likely that there will be offers around the $13 million mark in free agency.
On top of that, the Oilers have two huge contract extensions incoming, with both McDavid and Evan Bouchard set to sign long-term deals in the near future, so with both of those incoming, it's very unlikely that Edmonton could make this work with Rantanen.
Reports are that the salary cap is set to go up a significant amount this off-season, but unless that happens, Edmonton will be strapped for cash as they lock down their home grown stars.
Ultimately, there's expected to be at least 5 or more teams interested in the Finnish star this off-season, so while Edmonton could make moves to get this deal done, it's more likely than not that they'll be outbid on the open market as the salary cap rising will give plenty of teams the opportunity to push for a star like Rantanen.
MUST READ
TRENDING NOW
