Mikko Rantanen. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Oilers star big reason Mikko Rantanen traded by Avalanche

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Jim Parsons | Last updated Jan 26, 2025 3:31 PM ET

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

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

Rantanen wanted to stay but took a contract stand

Rantanen believes he should be valued like the Oilers value Draisaitl. The former Avalanche forward is a clutch playoff performer with 100-point seasons on his resume, and another one is 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 would still be 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 Oilers

What’s interesting about this is how it helps the Oilers. With Rantanen out of the Western Conference, the Avalanche got much 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 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.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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