DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 19: J.T. Compher #37 and Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche ... [+] celebrate the game-winning goal against the Edmonton Oilers at Ball Arena on February 19, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Oilers 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Since the Carolina Hurricanes have entered their six-year stretch of consecutive playoff berths, advancing at least one round in each of those appearances, they have had the same team identity.
That team identity worked in unison with head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who got his spot behind the bench ahead of their playoff streak.
The two-time Selke winner in his playing career has proven the ability to coach defense into the roster, as on average the Hurricanes have averaged 36.6 goals against less than the league average per season. Since 2020, the team has never fallen lower than fourth-best in the NHL at this metric.
While the offense has not been the team’s calling card in the Brind-Amour era, the Hurricanes very rarely struggle to put the puck in the back of the net. Instead, Carolina seems to run into the opposite issue of most of the league’s best teams, too much depth.
The issue is not regarding the depth itself, but the team’s lack of a dominant top-line pairing to consistently produce five-on-five offense.
Despite being amongst the best teams in the NHL, the Hurricanes have not had a 40-goal scorer nor a 90-point player since 2018.
While depth scoring is undeniably valuable in the postseason, there is a reliance required on the team’s best weapons to be able to take over a game, or even a series, in which we have not seen from the current core.
Forwards like Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Martin Necas have been amongst the franchise’s top producers in the past six years, yet Aho is the only player to maintain a point-per-game pace come the postseason.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Martin Necas #88 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after a ... [+] goal during the first period against the New York Rangers in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at copyright Arena on May 16, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
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So, despite Necas leading the team in points, the Hurricanes saw a desire for a solidified option for their top line, and found the former first-round pick expendable for this desire. And did they ever get an addition to their top line, bringing in Mikko Rantanen in a shocking trade over the weekend.
In a three-team deal, the Hurricanes acquired Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche and Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks. The Avalanche received Necas, Jack Drury, two future draft picks and a prospect from the Blackhawks.
Chicago will receive a 2025 third-round pick and will retain half of Rantanen’s salary.
Despite Necas ($6.5 million AAV) and Drury ($1.73 million AAV) both producing on team-friendly contracts, the Hurricanes clearly wanted that difference maker on their top line, and Rantanen has been that in his career.
Since becoming an everyday player in 2016, Rantanent has produced 682 points in 621 career games. That’s a 90-point pace per 82 games.
To put those metrics into perspective, Rantanen is one of 10 players in the NHL to compile 680 or more points in the past nine seasons.
Playing a pivotal role in the 2021-22 Stanley Cup run in Colorado, Rantanen is a proven playoff performer as well, producing 101 points in 81 games alongside a 20 +/-.
With Rantanen on an expiring contract at the end of this season, the possibility of the Avs’ star right winger finding a new home was always a possibility. However, not many expected Rantanen’s departure to happen midseason, via the actions of Colorado’s front office.
Rantanen and the Avalanche front office were in talks of an extension heading into the season, as it was clear the winger was going to be asking for a deal potentially larger than teammate Nathan MacKinnon.
With Leon Draisaitl receiving an 8-year, $112 million contract heading into the season, Rantanen’s agency now had the leverage to ask for the same $14 million AAV mark. Especially when the two players are represented by the same agency.
While it is unclear how much Rantanen was exactly asking for, or how far apart the two parties truly were, it seemed to be enough for the Avs to feel the need to get something for his talents while still on contract.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 22: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his goal ... [+] against the Seattle copyright during the third period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on April 22, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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So, the Hurricanes were aggressive in seeking out his talents, giving away multiple assets for a player who could only wear the jersey for three months.
But this is nothing new for Carolina, who has shown an aggressiveness at the trade deadline.
Whether referencing trades for players like Jake Guentzel, Brady Skjei, or Dougie Hamilton, the Hurricanes are always active ahead of the trade deadline.
When it comes to resigning the players when they reach unrestricted free agency, it is a different story.
However, with the caliber of player Rantanen has proven to be, and the amount of assets given up for the Finland native, the Hurricanes may have to capitalize on the head start they receive in swaying the soon-to-be free agent.
Plus, with the bonus of Aho and Rantanen soon to be linemate for team Finland ahead of the Four Nations tournament, the two could quickly develop into a left-right combination by the time the NHL returns from break.
Only time will tell how well this fit will be in Carolina. But with the level of competition in the Eastern Conference, the Hurricanes may see this window as their best chance to finally win it all, thus making the trade worth it in their eyes, even if Rantanen is not signed for the long haul.Mikko ra