Avalanche Face Deadline Dilemma with Mikko Rantanen's Contract Extension

The clock is ticking on the Colorado Avalanche and star forward Mikko Rantanen to come to an agreement on a contract extension.

With the 28-year-old set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2024-25, the Avalanche really have from now until the March 7 trade deadline to decide on Rantanen's long-term future with the club.

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As Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman points out, there is "no more bluffing" for the Avalanche because if they do decide to let the season pass, who's guaranteeing Rantanen won't walk to another team willing to out bid?

Friedman references how the Avalanche let this happen with captain Gabriel Landeskog in 2021 and there was no doubt he would resign with them.

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 20: Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche plays the Minnesota Wild in the third period at Ball Arena on January 20, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

According to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli, things are expected to pick up between the two parties soon, perhaps arounf the time of the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament.

The Avalanche reportedly want to get Rantanen on the books for about what Nathan Mackinnon makes, which is $12.6 million per year on a term of eight years. However, Rantanen's camp wants him closer to the league-high, which is Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews' $13.25 million annual average value.

Rantanen is currently making $9.25 million per season.

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"The Rantanen camp has been focused on a deal in the $14 million per year range, in line with what Leon Draisaitl received," Seravalli said on a Canadian broadcast this week. "The Avs on the other hand have been much closer to the $12.6 million at or under what MacKinnon is earning on the cap moving forward."

Seravalli also reported he doesn't think it's in the stars for the Avalanche to end up shopping Rantanen because they can't come away with an agreement.

"There seems to be a notion growing around the NHL over the last number of days and weeks that if Rantanen does not sign by the March 7th trade deadline the Colorado Avalanche will trade him. That's not an ultimatum that's been issued to the Rantanen camp," Seravalli said. "I don't think that's a position that the Avalanche would want to be in at this point in time given how productive Rantanen has been and how much he means to that team."

Rantanen is hot off of back-to-back 100-plus-point seasons. He ranks second on the Avalanche in points behind Mackinnon with 64 points in all 49 games.

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For more on the NHL, head to Newsweek Sports.

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