The Dallas Stars have acquired Daily Faceoff’s top trade target Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes.
The deal, according to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, has been in place since last night, but was hanging in the balance on the condition that the Stars can sign Rantanen to a contract extension. Rantanen, Seravalli added.
That has come to fruition Friday morning with Seravalli reporting the Hurricanes would be receiving forward Logan Stankoven and two first round picks as the key pieces of the deal, with an eight-year extension in place. Seravalli later added Carolina was receiving 2026 and 2027 third round picks.
It’s been a wild last month and a half for Rantanen, who was traded in a bombshell deal out of nowhere from the Colorado Avalanche to Carolina, but things haven’t quite panned out as expected. While Rantanen had racked up 25 goals and 64 points in 49 games on Nathan MacKinnon’s flank prior to the deal, the Finn hasn’t had such success in Raleigh, scoring just two goals and six points in 13 games.
Seravalli provided more details as to why the Hurricanes so quickly are looking to move on from Rantanen.
Sources said the Hurricanes canvassed the league in recent days since they were notified that Rantanen was unwilling to sign an extension in Carolina prior to the deadline, leaving the team to weigh whether it would be best to recoup assets or gear up for Cup pursuit with him knowing his stay might be short-term.
Rantanen potentially moving on wasn’t for lack of trying or commitment on Carolina’s part. Sources said the Canes offered Rantanen a franchise record-setting 8-year, $100-plus million offer, believed to be in the range of $12.75 million per year – more than his former running mate Nathan MacKinnon is earning and approximately $1 million more per season than Colorado’s best offer. Because of Dallas’ no state tax advantage, the number on a may be lower for Rantanen on paper if a new deal is reached with the Stars, even though the after-tax net would be significantly more. The Stars have never signed a player to a deal with an eight-figure AAV in their franchise history.
The Stars adding Rantanen is be a significant addition to a team already deep with scoring, and a move that would likely turn them into Stanley Cup favourites. They’re not the only team in the Western Conference trying to load up, either.
The Colorado Avalanche swung a huge deal Thursday night trading their top prospect, a “can’t miss” Cal Ritchie and conditional first and third round picks to the New York Islanders for Brock Nelson. Earlier in the day, the Vegas Golden Knights brought back one of the original Golden Misfits Reilly Smith, acquiring him from the New York Rangers for prospect Brendan Brisson and a third round pick.
Oilers general manager Stan Bowman has already made a few deals himself, acquiring forwards Trent Frederic and Max Jones from the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, and the deal for defenceman Jake Walman coming early Friday morning.
One has to wonder if these other teams in the West are pushing the Oilers to load up even more.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

Canadian Premiere of Ukrainian Hockey Documentary in Edmonton, March 10

The Canadian premiere screening of the documentary “UKE: The Untold Story of Hockey Legends” takes place at Ford Hall in Edmonton’s Rogers Place on
Monday, March 10, 2025. The film screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the film’s director Volodymyr Mula and broadcaster Kelly Hrudey.
The film highlights the enduring legacy of over 50 NHL champions of Ukrainian descent—more than any other nationality outside North America. Through rare footage, personal interviews, and gripping storytelling, “UKE” sheds light on the lives of legendary players such as Johnny Bucyk, Ken Daneyko, and Ruslan Fedotenko, revealing their connection to Ukraine and their lasting influence on the world of hockey.
Tickets and event information at www.ukrfolk.ca,  Tickets include delicious Ukrainian food!