Oilers Linked to Hurricanes' Mikko Rantanen: 'Informed Speculation'

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Oilers Linked to Hurricanes' Mikko Rantanen: 'Informed Speculation'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jan 29, 2025 7:15 AM ET

NHL insider Andy Strickland has thrown out a bold prediction involving the Edmonton Oilers and the newest member of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Strickland made a prediction on the "Cam & Strick" podcast on Tuesday, labeling it as "informed speculation," and saying that Mikko Rantanen could end up signing with the Oilers if he reaches free agency this summer.

The analyst speculated that the NHL's rising salary cap, as well as Edmonton's need for additional star power to flank centers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, could make them a serious contender for the elite winger.

“You want to know where Mikko Rantanen is going to end up? Edmonton. He’s going to Edmonton,” Strickland said. “They’re going to be able to pay him, No. 1.

"And I think that there would be some interest from him."

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

Rantanen, 28, was traded to the Hurricanes as soon as last Friday in a three-team blockbuster deal that involved the Colorado Avalanche and the Chicago Blackhawks.

The winger is playing out the final year of his six-year, $55.5 million contract. While the Hurricanes have exclusive negotiating rights until July 1, there’s no guarantee he will re-sign with his new team.

While the Oilers currently have $5 million of available cap space, Edmonton will need to re-sign McDavid and defenseman Evan Bouchard to contract extensions this and next summer. That, however, won't be a problem for the Oilers in Strickland's eyes.

"Don’t ask me to break down the cap," Strickland said. "There’s some belief that they can make that happen. So you gotta look at who’s coming off the books, and all that type of stuff.

“This is not just speculation, it’s informed speculation."

Rantanen would undoubtedly provide the Oilers with another superstar player considering he's one of the most productive forwards across the NHL.

This season, he's already scored 25 goals and notched 39 assists in 50 games, tied for eighth league-wide in both the goals and assists leaderboards, and tied for sixth in total points.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: