Rod Brind'Amour Fires Shots at Mikko Rantanen in New Interview

Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour was recently interviewed and asked about Mikko Rantanen, and he took time to fire some shots towards him.

The Mikko Rantanen saga continues even after his season has ended. It began in March, when Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour appeared on the radio and said Rantanen wasn't interested in signing an extension with Carolina when he arrived from Colorado in a blockbuster January trade.

That prompted a swift reply from Rantanen's agent, Andy Scott, who fired back vehemently. Scott contradicted that Rantanen had no interest in leaving Colorado but was open to keeping an open mind after the trade.

He also denied Brind'Amour's assertion that Rantanen provided a list of four teams to which he'd like to be traded.

Rantanen struggled heavily under Brind'Amour's defensive system

On the ice, Rantanen struggled to adapt to Brind'Amour's system. He scored 25 goals and 65 points for the Avalanche in 49 games but only two goals and six points in 13 games for the Hurricanes.

Scott cited Rantanen's level of experience, 10 years in the NHL, and six point-per-game seasons, as the reason for being selective in long-term planning.

He also mentioned Carolina asked for permission to talk about a potential extension before the trade, but was told Rantanen had one interest, and that was Colorado. Despite that, Carolina proceeded with the trade and tried aggressively to re-sign him.

After Rantanen declined, Scott explained that they provided the Hurricanes with ample time for them to get another trade partner, which led to the transaction with Dallas.

Now, Brind'Amour has further added to the drama on the 'Ovies & Giglio' show, saying that Rantanen did the Hurricanes a favor by not signing with them.

'Mikko Rantanen actually did us a favor.'

- Rod Brind'Amour