Breaking: The Dallas Stars have acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes with an eight-year extension in place in exchange for Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks, sources told @emilymkaplan. pic.twitter.com/4yb1xhRagz
— ESPN (@espn) March 7, 2025
Hold on to your hats, folks—because the Dallas Stars just flipped the hockey world upside down. According to sources (shoutout to Emily Kaplan for the scoop), the Stars have acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes, locking him up with an eight-year, $12 million AAV extension in the process.
In exchange, the Canes are getting top prospect Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks. That’s right—Carolina just turned their franchise winger into future assets, and Dallas just went full “win now” mode.
Why Did Carolina Do This?
Let’s get one thing straight—this wasn’t about wanting to trade Rantanen. This was about having to. Reports were swirling that the Finnish superstar had no intention of re-signing in Carolina this offseason, leaving the Hurricanes with two choices: let him walk for nothing or cash in while they still could. They chose the latter.
Losing a player of Rantanen’s caliber is a gut punch, no matter how you spin it. The Canes get a premium return with Stankoven, a future top-six talent, and two first-round picks that could help keep the franchise competitive. But let’s not kid ourselves—this is a brutal loss for a team that fancies itself a Cup contender.
Will Carolina look to Vancouver for Boeser? Time will tell.
Dallas Just Became a Juggernaut
Rantanen isn’t just good—he’s elite. We’re talking about a 6’4”, 100-point wrecking ball who can dangle, snipe, and bulldoze his way through defenses like a runaway freight train. He’s the type of player that turns contenders into champions, and now he’s wearing victory green.
Sure, $12 million per year is a hefty price tag, but guess what? Franchise-altering superstars don’t come cheap. With this move, the Stars aren’t just hoping for a deep playoff run—they’re expecting a parade.
The Western Conference is in Trouble
The Stars were already a force, but now? Now they’ve got a superstar locked in long-term. This move puts them in the same conversation as Vegas, Edmonton, and Colorado for “biggest problem in the West.” The NHL just got a whole lot more interesting.
Dallas is all-in. Carolina had no choice. And the rest of us? We’re just here for the chaos.
Let’s drop the puck already.
The Morning Skate 