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Mikko Rantanen Breaks His Silence on Rumours About His Time With the Carolina Hurricanes

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 4:03 PM ET

Mikko Rantanen was traded at the deadline from the Hurricanes to the Stars, and he recently opened up for the first time about what exactly went down.

The Mikko Rantanen saga continues. Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour added fuel to the fire of controversy on Monday by saying Rantanen wasn't interested in signing an extension upon his arrival with the team.

His agent, Jeff Scott, responded a day later. Scott addressed the situation on behalf of his client and refuted that Rantanen had a pre-approved trade list after the Colorado trade that included the four teams mentioned in previous reports.

These teams were Dallas, Toronto, Vegas, and Florida. Rantanen never complained about playing for Carolina initially but later began exploring other avenues.

Rantanen says the 'four teams' only report is false

Rantanen opened up today and stated that he never just limited it to those four teams that he would be willing to sign with and claims any reports otherwise as false.

'Some things were said that I had a list of teams already when I went there, but that's false...went there with an open mind, tried my best on the ice.'
'I want to make it clear, I was open-minded in Carolina and really thought about staying there.'

- Mikko Rantanen

Rantanen never really wanted to be traded out of Colorado

Although Rantanen never wanted to leave Colorado, he was starry-eyed after the Jan. 24 trade. However, it did not help the transition much to be in Brind'Amour's system.

Rantanen's production dropped from 65 points in 49 Avalanche games to six points in 13 with the Hurricanes.

A 10-year NHL veteran and perennial point-per-game player, Rantanen was owed the courtesy of making his own calls. Rather than sign with Carolina, Scott said he permitted the decision to be known in time for Carolina to get a good trade offer.

That deal eventually sent Rantanen to Dallas for an eight-year, $96-million contract. Carolina received a first and third-round pick in 2026 and 2027, a 2028 first-round draft choice, and prized prospect Logan Stankoven.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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