No matter how far we venture, each time trade discussions arise, the hockey community inevitably circles back to the moment when Mikko Rantanen was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes. The trade was monumental, leaving both the fans and the player in a state of confusion for an extended period. Do you recall Rantanen’s comments from that time? “I was shocked yesterday. I was surprised. I don’t really want to get into too many details, but it was a surprise for sure.”
The ongoing NHL season marked the 10th for Rantanen with the Avs, but his departure has left a significant emotional impact. You wonder, what are his Avs stats for the current season? Rantanen emerged as a leading scorer for the team, participating in 49 games where he netted 25 goals, provided 39 assists, and amassed a total of 64 points. Yet, this specific form was conspicuously absent the instant his vessel departed for the Canes’ territory.
During his time with the team, he participated in just 13 matches, managing to net 2 goals, provide 4 assists, and total 6 points. However, with the Dallas Stars, Rantanen’s performance has seen a significant upswing. In just 3 games, he has managed to net 2 goals, provide 1 assist, and gather a total of 3 points. Undoubtedly, numerous supporters of the Canes found themselves bewildered, contemplating the circumstances surrounding the forward’s time with their organization.
In a recent interview shared by Jesse Montano on X, Rantanen opened up about the ongoing trade drama, noting, “It’s been, you know, different six, seven weeks for sure. And then I was in Carolina; you know, obviously the first couple of days were a little shock, shock for sure. But then I went there with an open mind; you know, I never, never listed any teams at that point. I’ve heard somebody say that, you know, I went there with an open mind to play there long term.”
Despite being taken aback by the decision from the Avs management, Rantanen continued to seek a long-term contract with the Canes. He put forth considerable effort, but ultimately, just before the NHL trade deadline, he found himself joining a new franchise, the Stars. Nonetheless, the Canes weren’t the sole focus of the hockey forward; he also expressed his desire to remain with the Avs before experiencing the first trade of his career.
“I never listed any teams, I’ve heard somebody say that. I went there with an open mind to play [in Carolina] long-term, I tried my best”
– Mikko Rantanen pic.twitter.com/xKEyl8OXWs
— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) March 15, 2025
“I tried my best. You know, obviously, I told them before the trade happened, a couple of days before; they wanted to do a trade and sign as well. And I told them I’m only focused on Colorado; I want to stay in Colorado. And they still did the trade, so that was their decision,” Rantanen stated. What does this reveal? It reveals the harsh realities of the NHL’s approach to contracts.
Even Brad Marchand, who played for the Boston Bruins for 16 seasons, was traded to the Florida Panthers. However, Rantanen’s remarks regarding the Canes sparked a strong reaction from the fanbase, who quickly rallied to defend their franchise.
They had enough of Mikko Rantanen
Upon Mikko Rantanen’s arrival at the Carolina Hurricanes, fans were filled with high hopes and anticipation. However, even with numerous games under his belt, he struggled to find his footing on the ice. Their frustration intensified with these remarks, as one individual remarked, “Somebody is lying ” In a related observation, this fan remarked, “Guys a pathological liar.” A fan commented on his time with the Canes, stating, “‘I tried my best’ Dude was skating like a beer leaguer his entire time in Carolina.”
In the midst of this trade drama, it’s noteworthy that Mikko Rantanen had to shell out an astonishing $10,800 merely to don his jersey number 96. But what is the reason for that? Jack Roslovic of the Canes held onto this number, and the American was not inclined to part with it for just any offer. So, what exactly was it? Roslovic had his sights set on a specific timepiece, a luxury item that stood out among the rest: the Rolex Datejust 41.
Although financial concerns were not a factor for Rantanen, the accessibility of the watch posed a challenge. In a twist of fate for the newly-traded Canes star, it was fellow fin Joonas Salmela who stepped in to assist when the Helsinki Watch and Gold sales representative confirmed they had the watch available. There were instances that suggested Rantanen had a strong desire to sign with the Canes, especially considering the significant amount he invested to retain his jersey number 96.
However, that outcome did not materialize, and the fans are expressing their dissatisfaction with his remarks regarding the franchise. One comment captured the sentiment perfectly: “Didn’t think I could hate this guy anymore but here we are.” In a similar vein, this fan expressed, “If that was truly his best then he is the biggest fraud of all time.”
The performance of Rantanen for the Canes raised some eyebrows. However, given that he has already ascended to the Stars, there will be a singular emphasis. He is determined to fully commit to his current team, aiming to demonstrate that he deserves the eight-year, $96 million contract extension.
The post “Liar”: Fans Hold Mikko Rantanen Accountable Over Carolina Drama appeared first on EssentiallySports.
