In the last 24 hours or so, Mikko Rantanen’s name has skyrocketed to the top of every Insider trade list. All indications are that the Carolina Hurricanes are open to moving their newest acquisition after failing to sign the winger long term up to this point.
As history has taught us, all that could change. However, reports suggest that Carolina has been gauging interest around the league and the LA Kings have come up as a potential destination on multiple occasions.
LeBrun on Insider Trading: “LA Kings: They may face the Oilers for a 4th straight year in the RD1, they want to finally beat them, they need another diff. maker to do that IMO, they actually talked about Rantanen earlier this year. They’re going to try and get some offence”
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) March 6, 2025
However, a new report has thrown a bit of cold water on all the speculation.
Cross LA off the list as a team Rantanen would sign an extension with. #Lakings
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) March 6, 2025
It’s important to remember that is is trade season and wrong scoops or false reports are a dime a dozen. That being said, almost every team that trades for Rantanten will likely be looking for some sort of agreement on a contract extension. Any offer from Rantanen from the LA side will likely include prized prospects, draft capital and a valuable roster player. Such a move would only make sense if Rantanen is in Los Angeles for the long haul. Getting him as a rental only is something that the Kings can’t afford in the short term and for the future.
