Carolina Hurricanes
Team to Offer Mikko Rantanen 9-Figure Contract Extension
Whoever signs Mikko Rantanen might need to get above $100 million to get him to agree to a long-term extension. Can the Hurricanes do it?
Elliotte Friedman noted this week on the 32 Thoughts podcast that he’s got a theory about what’s going to happen with Mikko Rantanen and a contract extension this offseason. Following the Colorado Avalanche’s decision not to give Rantanen anywhere near his rumored ask for an extension, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes without an extension in place. The Hurricanes reportedly want to sign him, but Rantanen could be the summer’s hottest free agent.
Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas both spoke about the projected number Rantanen might end up signing for and believed Leon Draisaitl‘s $14 million per season is the benchmark. If so, what would it take to convince Rantanen to sign, should there be several interested bidders? This is especially true with news of the salary cap estimates and the massive jumps expected over the next three seasons.
It’s Going to Cost Someone $100 Million to Get Rantanen
Friedman talked about the one advantage the Hurricanes have, which is that they can offer an eight-year extension to Rantanen while all other teams can only offer seven on the open market. That means they have a chance to get Rantanen done at a slightly cheaper AAV, but also exceed $100 million as a total contract.
Friedman explained:
“So this is my theory. They’re going to offer more than that [$98 million] on eight years. Not more than 14, but more than 98. I say they’re going to offer on maybe a hundred somewhere around there, but they’re going to beat 98… My guess is they try to keep the AAV around 13, maybe a bit less, and they offer to defer so they can keep the AAV down. Maybe makes a bit more cash, but the AAV is kept down.”
Friedman did admit that deferring seems like a long shot given that Leon Draisaitl (who has the same agent) chose not to. “I don’t know how they’ll feel about that,” he said. But he added, “I think the play is [more than] 98.”
For any team not named the Hurricanes, a $100 million deal means an AAV of $14.3 million.
Next: NHL Trade Talk Morning Roundup: Senators, Capitals & Oilers
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