NHL analyst adds credibility to rumours of Mikko Rantanen joining Edmonton Oilers

Superstar forward Mikko Rantanen just joined the Carolina Hurricanes, but multiple reports have now suggested he could sign with the Edmonton Oilers in free agency this offseason.

Earlier this year, NHL insider Andy Strickland reported that he believes the Oilers are targeting Rantanen in free agency, and the forward is interested in signing in Edmonton.

NHL analyst adds more credibility to Mikko Rantanen to Edmonton rumour

Oilers analyst Allan Mitchell raised the Mikko Rantanen to Edmonton rumours again today, suggesting that it would be entirely feasible the team could sign the superstar forward.

Bowman would need to offload Evander Kane (that may happen anyway, Edmonton needs healthy players), walk Jeff Skinner and use a giant dollop of the new cap dollars to secure Rantanen. Worth it. ALL worth it.

- Allan Mitchell

With news of the salary cap increasing to $95.5M next season and time to make some trade to clear salary, it's entirely possible the Oilers could fit Rantanen at a price tag of up to $14M. With salary deferrals, the annual hit could come down as well.

The only real personal connection at the moment is that Rantanen and Draisaitl have the same agent. That is a real connection the Oilers could lean on, and Rantanen would surely be interested in playing next to McDavid and Draisaitl.

The 28 year old Finnish winger can be a physical presence at 6'4 and 215 pounds, but more importantly has elite offensive ability and had success with a superstar like Nathan MacKinnon, with two consecutive 100 point seasons. In 625 games in his career, Rantanen has 683 points.

Oilers would have to offload one major contract to fit Mikko Rantanen

Mitchell raised the point that the Oilers would have to offload some salary to sign Rantanen, and the obvious choice is the aging and injured Evander Kane.

Kane's full no-movement clause retracts to a no-trade list just before this year's trade deadline. He's likely out for the regular season and returning in the playoffs so his salary won't be an issue this year, but trading him in the offseason could clear up $5.125M for Rantanen.

Signing another superstar like Rantanen to the Oilers top six would be a monstrous addition to an already gifted offensive team, and it's exactly the type of swing the Oilers should be taking while trying to win the first cup in the McDavid era. Hopefully, Edmonton can seal the deal.