Host Links Oilers and Rantanen in Superteam Summer Signing

Take it for what it is, but according to Andy Strickland of the Cam & Strick Podcast, the Edmonton Oilers, of all teams, are a potential landing spot for Mikko Rantanen this summer. When the winger hits free agency (if he hits free agency), he will likely put himself out there to attract as many bids for his services as possible. Strickland says he’s hearing “informed speculation” that the Oilers and Rantanen would have shared interest.

Andy Strickland has been hearing that if not re-signed by Carolina, Mikko Rantanen may be headed to the Edmonton Oilers in the offseason saying there’s “a belief they can make it happen” cap wise. Rantanen also shares the same agent as Leon Draisaitl.#letsgooilers #raiseup pic.twitter.com/6w40qi1g0H

— John Puck (@johnpuck1992) January 28, 2025

The idea itself sounds incredible and far-fetched. Rantanen to the Oilers, along with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, would give the Oilers as close to a dynasty trio and superteam as any team in the NHL has had in years. Having three consistent 100-plus point players in the top six would be scary for opponents.

The immediate question was the money. How would the Oilers make it work?

Strickland retorted, “How does any team make it work?” Considering Rantanen will likely be around $14 million, he’s not going to be cheap for anyone. But, given the cap is expected to jump and it might not be long before it’s at $102 or $104 million, that kind of salary is more straightforward for teams to swallow. Strickland said there was a belief that the Oilers would find a way.

There Would Need To Be Some Contracts Dumped

Noting that Rantanen and Leon Draisaitl have the same agent, Strickland hinted that his sources linked those two players. In much the same way players get together in the NBA and build superteams, the assumption here is that both Rantanen and Draisaitl have apparently thought about this. There’s no confirmation of any kind of conversation between the two, and this is, at this point, just a speculative report by Strickland.

To make that work, the Oilers would need to move serious money. It’s important to remember that Connor McDavid is going to get an extension. Evan Bouchard is due for huge money. Stuart Skinner isn’t far from needing a new contract. That doesn’t leave much room for another $14 million player.

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Would a team that has three $14 million-plus players be a team that can win? It would give Edmonton the most dangerous top-six in the league by a mile. But, there would be serious questions about depth and having to move on from guys like Evander Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Viktor Arvidsson, and who knows what else could leave real depth questions.

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