Many teams want a piece of Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline. Names like the Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, and Detroit Red Wings would love a player that puts them over the top. That comes with rumors circulating that the Hurricanes might not get a contract extension done with him. Therefore, you must trade him, right? Is that how it works?
That's what makes the situation revolving around the Carolina Hurricanes forward unique. The Colorado Avalanche trade him, only for him to be put on the market again. Of course, that comes with the astronomical price tag he carries: He's expected to make $14 million AAV minimum in his next contract.
However, one surprising destination popped up as a potential front-runner. Considering they're six points out of the Pacific Division top spot, grabbing Rantanen would make them a Stanley Cup threat. This team could use a deep scoring threat to compliment its solid goaltending, too. Who's the surprise team that's being referenced, according to Darren Dreger of TSN Hockey?
Darren Dreger just said the most likely spot for Mikko Rantanen to end the season is.... Los Angeles.
— Drew Livingstone (@ProducerDrew_) March 2, 2025
Wow
There are many reasons why this would be bad news for the Golden Knights. Obviously, it's a divisional opponent grabbing a premier player (although the same logic applies to the Edmonton Oilers). That's especially true when it comes to winning the Pacific Division race. However, there are broader implications than making a team the betting favorites to win that division.
Why the Los Angeles Kings acquiring Mikko Rantanen would be bad news for the Vegas Golden Knights
First, the Los Angeles Kings are a stylistic nightmare for the Vegas Golden Knights. They take care of the puck with the second-fewest giveaways in the NHL (774). Compare that to the Golden Knights, who are tied for 22nd-fewest in the NHL in that same category (929). The Kings hold onto the puck and create as many open looks as possible.
Even with Golden Knights playing as a strong forechecking team (305 takeaways, 10th in the NHL), that carelessness with the puck has hurt them. They had 42 giveaways in all three games this season, being outscored 12-11 in those games. What happens if the Finnish forward grabs a loose puck in this hypothetical situation? Don't forget that the Kings aren't allowing many goals this season and Rantanen takes care of the puck himself (56 giveaways this season).
That would create all sorts of chaos in a potential playoff matchup. He has 27 goals and 70 points this season, although he's struggled fitting in the Hurricanes offense (two goals and four assists in 11 games with Carolina). Still, the mismatch nightmare paired with Rantanen would make for a disaster in a seven-game series.
The good news is it's not likely to happen
The Hurricanes have expressed interest in keeping the Finnish superstar. In fact, they already offered him a deal that might exceed the $100 million mark. That contract could be signed before the trade deadline, putting all rumors to rest. Even if he doesn't sign, there's a massive incentive for Carolina to keep him. After all, they're in a Stanley Cup race themselves. Maybe Darren Dreger is talking out of his rear. Who knows?
Considering the Golden Knights don't want to face their divisional rivals in a seven-game series (they'd rather have Edmonton do the deed), this is good news. You should get Shea Theodore back before the Stanley Cup playoffs start, adding more elements to the team's dynamic. There's also the team turning up their play in March (59-32-6 entering Sunday). All these should help them deal with the pesky Kings.
Still, you can never discount a hockey team with the fifth-fewest goals per game allowed (2.62). They can suffocate you in the neutral zone and cause carelessness with the puck, making them difficult to deal with. That's also what makes winning the Pacific Division much more important. Get home-ice advantage, get an advantage over your opponents.