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.

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

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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.

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

The Toronto Maple Leafs are still firmly positioned in the Mikko Rantanen sweepstakes as the Carolina Hurricanes weigh the possibility of moving the star winger before Friday’s trade deadline, depending on his decision.

Which NHL teams would benefit the most from acquiring Mikko Rantanen? Here are three that need to call the Carolina Hurricanes to get a deal done before the trade deadline.

Mikko Rantanen does not seem to want to stay in Carolina long-term, a place where he does not seem comfortable. Is he not comfortable because the Hurricanes are doing things he does not like, or is he not comfortable because it is simply not Colorado?