NHL free agency: 5 fascinating restricted free agents
By Jasmine Yen
4. Mikko Rantanen – Colorado Avalanche
Position: Right wing
Age: 22 years old
Mikko Rantanen finished second on the Colorado Avalanche in points (87) in just 74 games played and lead the team in production in the playoffs, with 6 goals and 14 points. He will be looking for a major pay raise but one thing that could throw everything off is the Nathan MacKinnon contract.
MacKinnon makes $6.3 million a season and is the best player on that team. Their captain Gabriel Landeskog makes just %5.5 million. Would it be fair if Rantanen makes more than them?
The most interesting part of this negotiation is seeing how the comparables play out. Will Rantanen get the money relative to his teammates or his value on the open market? On the market, a player like him would not be making less than $7 million, but having him be the highest-paid Avalanche on a team with the two superstars on discounts could sour the locker room. His next contract will be a fascinating one to see.