Edmonton Oilers
The Bouchard-for-Rantanen Trade the Oilers Are Happy They Never Made
What would have happend if the Edmonton Oilers had traded Evan Bouchard for Mikko Rantanen? Let’s look back.
During the 2024-25 season, the Edmonton Oilers considered trading Evan Bouchard for Mikko Rantanen. While it might not have been a one-for-one deal, Edmonton did make a push for the forward before he was traded to the Dallas Stars. It all started when Rantanen was sent from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes. When it became clear he wasn’t going to re-sign, the Hurricanes called around and tried to flip Rantanen. Among the teams interested was the Oilers.
On March 8, 2025, TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reported that the Oilers took a serious run at Rantanen. He was open to signing an extension, which meant Edmonton was open to making a blockbuster trade and then signing him to a long-term deal. Rishaug wrote:
“Oilers took a huge swing yesterday. Sources say Rantanen had interest in coming to Edmonton and things were well down the path of an extension being agreed to – $ were north of what Dallas signed him for. In the end, the trade assets weren’t there to get it done. Also sounds like they looked in on Rakell and Donato as well.”
Rumors surfaced after the trade that the assets in question might have included Evan Bouchard.
At the time, Bouchard was a pending RFA. The Oilers wanted to give him a big extension, and it would have been tough to sign both players to $10 million-plus deals while also giving Connor McDavid what he would have commanded on his new contract. Ultimately, Rantanen signed for $12 million per season, Bouchard at four years for $10.5 million per, and McDavid stayed where he was, signing a short-term deal for $12.5 million per season.
Were The Oilers Right to Choose Bouchard Over Rantanen?
The Oilers’ electing not to trade Bouchard and pieces for Rantanen appears to have been the right decision. Who knows how the playoffs would have turned out last season, but Bouchard was instrumental in the playoffs, scoring 23 points in 22 games.
While the defenseman is still somewhat polarizing to fans, games like the one Edmonton played on Saturday against the Washington Capitals are a reminder of just how elite Bouchard can be. A six-point night with some incredible defensive plays and key moments that led Edmonton to a 6-5 win demonstrates how important he is.
Bouchard has 14 goals and 55 points in 53 games this season. He’s the team’s No. 1 defenseman and a 26-year-old who, while not perfect, is only scratching the surface of how good he could become. Rantanen has 19 goals and 63 points in 49 games. He’s still a dynamic forward that the Oilers would have loved to have acquired, but the price was arguably too big.
What say you? Were the Oilers right to hang onto Bouchard? Would Edmonton be better suited with Rantanen in the top-six, but Bouchard in Carolina?
Next: Team Canada Snub Looks Awkward After Bouchard’s 6-Point Night
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