Rumors swirling around Mikko Rantanen being traded again were flying around the end of the deadline. Just a few hours before, those rumors came true. The Carolina Hurricanes traded Rantanen to the Dallas Stars for two first-round picks (2026 and 2028), both of the picks conditional, two third round picks and Logan Stankoven. The Stars then signed Rantanen to an eight-year, $96 million dollar deal, which averages to around $12 million a year.
Carolina had been trying to sign Rantanen to a contract, but the forward wasn't quite ready to make a decision regarding a contract, leading to them taking some calls. Now, Rantanen is locked up long-term as Dallas looks to continue contending for a Stanley Cup. However, the Stars did have to give up a lot of assets to get him, including a promising forward in Stankoven. The question is now, who won the trade?
Stars' return
The Stars got only Rantanen in this trade, but they easily got the most valuable player in the trade. Signing Rantanen to a deal also keeps him from leaving in free agency. However, getting him wasn't cheap. In my opinion, the Stars had more leverage in this trade than they thought, so giving up that much didn't make sense to me. Dallas could have had a chance to get Rantanen to sign if he had gone to free agency, but it wouldn't have been a sure thing. This way, Dallas is able to lock up one of the NHL's brightest stars for the next eight years.
Hurricanes' return
The Canes' came out with a lot of capital as a result of this trade, but no doubt Carolina isn't super happy with Rantanten leaving. The Hurricanes wanted to sign Rantanen to a big contract and keep him around for a near decade, but were instead forced to let him go. The forward was clear that he wasn't sure if he wanted to stay in Carolina long-term, so they decided to trade him rather than get nothing for him at season's end. Rantanen becomes the next big-time forward to leave the Carolinas, as Martin Necas was a part of the original trade with Colorado for Rantanen. In 14 games, Necas has scored 15 points for the Avalanche.
However, the Hurricanes did get a good young forward in Stankoven. So far this season, he has 29 points in 59 games. At 23 years old, that's not too shabby, and Stankoven could be a good piece for the Hurricanes moving forward.
Many assumed that the Hurricanes would use the picks they got from this trade to get some more players for the playoffs, but the deal for Rantanen took so long that Carolina missed out on names they were interested in. Now, the Hurricanes will most likely flip those picks in the offseason or before next years' deadline.
Who won the trade?
Overall, I would say this trade is pretty even, but the Stars have a slight edge as they have the best player in the trade. Not only that, but the Hurricanes gave up a lot to get Rantanen, and losing him hurts. The Stars gave up a lot too, but for eight years of one the league's most talented forwards, I'm sure Dallas fans are more than happy. Hurricanes' fans will have to sit and wonder about what could've been.