The Carolina Hurricanes headlined one of the biggest drama storylines in the NHL during the 2024-25 season. Shortly after completing a blockbuster three-team trade for Mikko Rantanen, the Hurricanes learned signing the Finnish star to an extension would be much harder than they initially thought. Eventually, the two sides fell through and Rantanen was traded away to the Dallas Stars. After Rantanen signed a ludicrous extension in Dallas, Hurricanes head coach Rod BrindāAmour made a powerful admission.
It was chaos and drama from the start for the Hurricanes and Rantanenāa recipe for disaster in any context. In the end, the best either party could do was nip the problem in the bud rather than let it drag out.
Carolina did everything in their power to retain Rantanen, offering him a lucrative extension, but the player and his camp wouldnāt commit to the organization. In the end, Rantanen was traded to the Stars, leaving a sour taste in Carolinaās mouth as they gave up valuable assets for a deal that ultimately fell through.
It may work out for the best for both sides, especially after BrindāAmour revealed a very sincere comment from Rantanen upon arriving in Raleigh.
Head coach Rod BrindāAmour of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the first period of the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Lenovo Center on December 05, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
āWhen (Rantanen) showed up he said āthereās 4 teams Iāll go play for, and youāre not one of them,'ā BrindāAmour revealed about his first interactions with Rantanen, via The Adam Gold Show. āThere hasnāt been one guy thatās left because they didnāt like it here, except for Mikko [Rantanen]. He didnāt not like it here. There was 28 other teams he wasnāt going to.
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āI appreciate him letting us know that, we probably shouldāve known before we made the deal. Maybe that changes how we go about things.ā
BrindāAmour takes shot at front office
During the interview, the Hurricanes head coach would go on further on the subject. BrindāAmour would almost be playing with fire as he issued a harsh message, aimed at the organization.
āThe better question is: should we have known that before we signed him, or attempted to sign him?,ā Rod BrindāAmour added. ā[Jake] Guentzel was a totally opposite thing, if weād offered him the contract, heās here, but we didnāt for whatever reason. Thatās a different conversation.
Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Carolina Hurricanes warms up prior to a game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on January 25, 2025 in Elmont, New York.
āMikko was the only that Iāve been associated with that said āI donāt want, this is not for meā. I think thereās other circumstances on that, itās not about the hockey.ā
Return for Rantanen
Despite being at a premium with time ticking on them as the trade deadline approached, the Hurricanes managed to get a considerable return for Rantanen. The franchise in Raleigh received forward Logan Stankoven, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, a third-round pick in the 2026 draft and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
