The NHL trade deadline is Friday afternoon, and scuttlebutt around the league has centered on Rantanen and whether the Canes will re-sign him, trade him, or keep him and try to agree on a new contract.

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Mikko Rantanen reportedly will not sign a contract extension with the Carolina Hurricanes before the NHL Trade Deadline

For weeks, multiple insiders had reported that Carolina was gauging the market for Rantanen while awaiting his decision ahead of the deadline with his contract expiring on July 1. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirmed that Toronto, Dallas, and Los Angeles were among the “very interested” teams.

Blockbuster trades like the one that occurred between the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes just over a month ago are rare in the NHL.

Christopher Hennessy is an MLB associate editor at ClutchPoints, with additional expertise in the NHL and golf. He graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022, and he has work experience at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders reporter.

According to sources, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly discussing a blockbuster involving Matthew Knies and Mikko Rantanen.

TSN: Chris Johnston notes that the Carolina Hurricanes have increased their efforts to see what the Mikko Rantanen trade market looks like. They’ve been listening for a week or two and have had some talks with Rantanen’s agent.

The Carolina Hurricanes received clarity on Mikko Rantanen's contract negotiations ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline.