Oilers’ Star Big Reason Rantanen Traded by Avalanche

Elliotte Friedman is reporting that one big factor (perhaps the biggest) in the Colorado Avalanche’s decision to trade Mikko Rantanen was money. Rantanen wanted $14 million on an extension, but the Avs were never going to give it to him. Why did he want that much? Because Edmonton Oilers’ superstar Leon Draisaitl got that much.

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Friedman wrote in a blog on Friday night after the blockbuster three-team trade went down:

“What was Colorado’s limit for Mikko Rantanen? Leon Draisaitl’s $14-million AAV extension and the soon-to-be-rising cap altered the negotiations. (Rantanen is also represented by the same agency as Draisaitl: Octagon.) The Avalanche just weren’t willing to go in that area, with Nathan MacKinnon at $12.6 million and Cale Makar eligible for a ginormous extension of his own in July 2026.”

What does that mean? Well, because Draisaitl set the new bar in contract negotiations and Rantanen wanted to be valued at the same level, the Avalanche felt like they had no choice but to move on. It’s not that they didn’t see Rantanen in the same vein, but because of their own cap restrictions, they were never going to give Rantanen Draisaitl-like money.

Rantanen Wanted to Stay But Took a Contract Stand 

Rantanen has reason to believe he should be valued in the same way the Oilers value Draisaitl. The former Avalanche forward is a clutch playoff performer who has 100-point seasons on his resume with another one likely this season. He’s a game-changer and a difference-maker. Someone will give him $14 million.

Pierre LeBrun reported on Saturday morning:

“Rantanen was willing to continue negotiating throughout the season with Colorado. In fact, both sides had more contract talks this past week. Just couldn’t find enough common ground. The Avs, in the end, made the calculation they were never going to get there on a number…”

Had Draisaitl not signed that deal in Edmonton, perhaps Rantanen is still in Colorado. The dynamics are slightly different because the Oilers will sign Connor McDavid second, and everyone knows he’ll get more than Draisaitl, Rantanen, or Nathan MacKinnon. This could have been a timing thing. Still, Draisaitl’s deal was the catalyst for all of this.

Rantanen Trade Not Bad News For the Oilers

What’s interesting about this is how it actually helps the Oilers. With Rantanen now out of the Western Conference, the Avalanche just got a whole lot worse. There’s still time for Colorado to make corresponding moves and add players, but it’s hard to imagine they get anyone as impactful as Rantanen.

It’s fascinating to see how the Oilers paying a star player on their own team can indirectly affect another team’s plans. If the Avs aren’t the playoff threat they were just 24 hours ago, that’s nothing but good news for Edmonton.

Next: Scribe Cites Reasons Blackhawks Satisfied with Taylor Hall Trade