Mikko Rantanen reveals why he chose Dallas at the deadline

On Deadline Day on Friday, Mikko Rantanen was traded to the Stars by the Carolina Hurricanes and then signed an eight-year, $96 million deal with Dallas.

The contract has an average annual value of $12 million.

In return for Rantanen, the Hurricanes reportedly received forward Logan Stankoven and a first- and third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and a first and third in the 2027 NHL Draft.

The Stars finally made the announcement official later on Friday around 5PMET.

When Rantanen was on the air with TSN and was asked about the trade, he explained why he picked the Stars as many suitors were in the mix and interested in acquiring his services. But he believes Dallas is a great fit for him.

“Really excited to be a part of the group,” he said, adding: “At the end of the day, it was an easy decision.”

About Dallas and why he picked them: 

“I’ve played against Dallas a lot. I know they have a good team. I know the city well enough and everything there, and I’ve only heard good things about the organization and everything, so at the end of the day, it was easy. Easy decision at that point.”

This is the second time this season Rantanen has been traded. He was acquired by the Hurricanes in a three-team trade with the Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 24. He has spent his entire career before then in Colorado.

He was in the final season final season of a six-year, $55.5 million contract ($9.25 million AAV) he signed with the Avs on Sept. 28, 2019, and could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

“It’s been crazy,” Rantanen told TSN. “It was the first time I’ve been traded from Colorado and it happened quick, everything, and all of a sudden you’re on a new team for the first time and then this situation comes with the contract and stuff, so it’s been something that I never thought I would fully experience, but here we are.”

When asked about his reasons for not signing an extension with the Canes, Rantanen claims there were several factors.

“I think at the time obviously I had to look at all the options because there was no deal when the trade happened,” he said. “It was kind of a situation where I had to think about my life for a long period of time, not only on the ice but also off the ice. Obviously, it’s a really good team in Carolina, the last couple of years they’ve been close to the Stanley Cup. But I think the fit in Dallas and I’ve been thinking a lot about it with myself and my camp and (my girlfriend) Susanna and everything. Just the fit I feel like everywhere, I think that was what the decision was.”

Selected by the Avalanche with the No. 10 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, Rantanen has 687 points (289 goals, 398 assists) in 632 regular-season games with Colorado and Carolina, including 371 points (160 goals, 211 assists) in 299 games over the past four seasons, which ranks seventh in the NHL.

Now joining one of their rivals in the Central Division, Rantanen could face the Avalanche in the postseason.

“It would be two good teams and it’s possible for sure,” he said.