“It’s been crazy,” Mikko Rantanen EXCITED to be a ‘fit’ for Dallas Star following 8-year $96 million deal

Mikko Rantanen finally seals his contract extension with Dallas Stars only months after getting traded to Hurricanes from Avalanche.

“It’s been crazy,” Mikko Rantanen EXCITED to be a ‘fit’ for Dallas Star following 8-year $96 million deal

Mikko Rantanen (Image via Sportsnet)

Mikko Rantanen has finally found his home in the NHL for the next eight years. After getting traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes in a three-way deal on January 24, Rantanen signed an extension with the Dallas Stars on Friday.

Since his trade to the Hurricanes, the forward has only played in 13 games. While the team was sure to sign an extension with him, the player himself was not confident that he could call Carolina his home for the long term.

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In the end, Mikko Rantanen found the Dallas Stars a perfect “fit” for himself for the next eight years on a $96 million deal. His annual average salary is expected to be $12 million with the Stars. 

Rantanen said “it’s been crazy” the last few months but is excited to finally find a long-term home for himself. The decision to move to Dallas was influenced by him, his family, girlfriend, and close ones. As for the Stars, GM Jim Nill said that he couldn’t let go of the opportunity to sign Rantanen to the team as they look forward to the playoffs.

Obviously, it’s a really good team in Carolina, the last couple of years they’ve been close to the Stanley Cup. But I think the fit in Dallas and I’ve been thinking a lot about it with myself and my camp and (my girlfriend) Susanna and everything. Just the fit I feel like everywhere, I think that was what the decision was.

Mikko Rantanen as per NHL.com.

As per analyst Nick Kypreos, Rantanen got a better offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the Hurricanes did not want to face the star forward and the Leafs in the playoffs. As for the Hurricanes, they were ready to take the risk following the trade of Rantanen.

In return for the trade, the Hurricanes received forward Logan Stankoven, a conditional first-round pick for 2026, a conditional first-round pick for 2028, a third-round pick in 2026, and a third-round pick in 2027. With the Canes, Rantanen recorded 6 points in 13 games and tied for 11th in the NHL.

Former Carolina governor takes a swipe at Mikko Rantanen

Former North Carolina governor Roy Cooper took to social media to take a swipe at Mikko Rantanen following his 8-year $96 million deal with the Dallas Stars. He was clearly unhappy with how the 28-year-old decided to quit calling Carolina home within a few months.

Mikko Rantanen [Image Credit: Sportsnet]
Mikko Rantanen [Image Credit: Sportsnet]

Cooper further pointed out his performance, saying it’s better for the Hurricanes to trade Rantanen to the Stars, noting his 6 points in 13 games record. Rantanen was expected to be a huge boost for the team but that didn’t work out in the end. 

Bad turnover, Mikko. You would have loved it here but didn’t give NC a chance. On the bright side, if (the Hurricanes) were getting for the playoffs what they got these last 13 games, then it’s for the best. Now it’s time for a Carolina Cup run!

Roy Cooper as per B/R Open Ice on X.

The Dallas Stars are currently sitting at the second position in the Central Division with 84 points. They are 6 points behind the NHL-best Winnipeg Jets. As for the Carolina Hurricanes, they are 2nd in the Metropolitan Division with 78 points.