Four questions about Hurricanes' stunning trade of superstar Mikko Rantanen

Carolina acquired Rantanen and winger Taylor Hall on Jan. 25 in a three-team trade. Per Kaplan, the team tried to sign Rantanen, so the trade raises serious questions about the Hurricanes.

1. Why couldn't the Hurricanes convince Rantanen to sign?

This is the second year in a row Carolina acquired the biggest name before the trade deadline and couldn't get the player extended. 

Last season, the Canes reportedly slow-played winger Jake Guentzel's contract situation. When that failed, league insiders suggested the Canes did the opposite with Rantanen, making their godfather offer (h/t Sports Illustrated) as soon as possible. Finding out if there's a common link here is critical for Carolina's front office. 

2. Why didn't Carolina keep Rantanen for the playoff push? 

It seems hard to believe that after just 13 games, in which Rantanen's metrics looked great but his scoring was a pedestrian (six points), the Hurricanes decided he couldn't help them win the Stanley Cup. 

It's hard to lose players to free agency for nothing, especially after trading two NHL players and multiple draft picks to acquire Rantanen. But it seems odd Carolina didn't keep Rantanen and try to win its first Stanley Cup since 2006.

3. Are the Hurricanes still a legitimate contender? 

The short answer: probably not. Carolina is second in the Metropolitan Division, 10 points behind the Capitals.

Stankoven, 22, is a good player who put up 43 points in his first 83 games in the NHL. He already has 19 games' playoff experience, a plus. But Stankoven is not Rantanen. 

The Finnish superstar is one of the best playoff performers of the past decade (102 points in 82 games). In the postseason, when scoring dries up for many great players, Rantanen is at his best.

When you consider the four players involved in the two Rantanen trades since Jan. 25, Stankoven is the third-best player. Plus, the Hurricanes also dealt speedy depth forward Jack Drury in the original deal. 

It's also not clear where Stankoven is going to play in Carolina's lineup. Afterall, he's only 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds. Will he play center, where the Hurricanes desperately need a second-line player?

4. How will the Hurricanes use the draft ammunition?

The Hurricanes received four draft picks in this deal, including two first-rounders. They can -- and probably should -- use the additional assets to make a trade before the NHL Draft in late June.

If they're looking for additional scoring, what about longtime nuisance Chris Kreider of the Rangers? Even in an injury-riddled season, he still does one thing well: score (17 goals in 48 games this season).