Mikko Rantanen has already been involved in one blockbuster trade this season. What are the odds the Carolina Hurricanes winger will be in another?
We’ll soon find out.
On Jan. 24, the Hurricanes acquired Rantanen in a three-team deal where they sent Martin Necas and Jack Drury to the Colorado Avalanche. They also received Taylor Hall and Nils Juntorp from the Chicago Blackhawks in the deal that included Carolina sending draft picks to both teams. Rantanen is an unrestricted free agent after this season.
BetCarolina.com, where NC sports betting promo codes are always available, developed odds projecting where Rantanen will land after the deadline. These odds are for infotainment purposes only, and you will not find them at any North Carolina sportsbook, such as BetMGM.
Team | Odds | Percentage Chance |
Dallas Stars | +800 | 11.1% |
Edmonton Oilers | +1050 | 8.7% |
Vegas Golden Knights | +1250 | 7.4% |
Winnipeg Jets | +1250 | 7.4% |
Washington Capitals | +1750 | 5.4% |
The Field/ Stay With Carolina Hurricanes | -150 | 60.0% |
Carolina has been working to sign Rantanen before he hits free agency, but they might not be able to reach a deal by the March 7 trade deadline. At that point, the Canes front office will have a choice, worth watching at North Carolina sportsbooks: Keep the forward for the Stanley Cup Playoff push and risk getting nothing in return if he signs elsewhere in the offseason, or deal him to another contender for prospects and/or draft picks.
Rantanen, who was as surprised as everyone else about the trade to Carolina, has not produced at the same level for the Hurricanes as he did for the Avs. In 49 games for Colorado, the Finnish native had 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists). With the Canes, he has had just one goal and two assists in seven games.
It could just be a matter of bad luck, as Rantanen’s shots per game (5.9 with Colorado, 6.3 with Carolina) and shots on goal per game (2.8, 3.1) have gone up. It also could be the difference between playing with Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado and Carolina’s Sebastian Aho. The latter is a very good player. The former is an elite one.
Keep track of Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup odds at BetCarolina.com as the playoffs get closer.
While BetCarolina is bullish on Rantanen staying in Raleigh, we hold out a slight chance that he gets dealt again before the NHL trade deadline.
If he’s traded, it will likely be somewhere out west. Washington might have the resources to make a trade, but it’s doubtful Carolina would consummate one with a team they could play in the first or second round of the playoffs (not to mention, Carolina has two games against the Capitals in April). Our guide to NHL betting in North Carolina keeps you keyed in on all the hockey action.
Dallas seems to be the most likely candidate to perhaps acquire Rantanen. The Stars have made the Western Conference final the past two seasons, and though they are in a good position to get back to the playoffs this season, the offense is not the same. Joe Pavelski retired after last season, and Tyler Seguin had hip surgery in December. Seguin might not be back in time for the postseason.
At FanDuel North Carolina Sportsbook, the Hurricanes are currently the second choice on the Stanley Cup futures board. Carolina’s odds of +700 are slightly longer than the Edmonton Oilers, the favorite at +650. Dallas, meanwhile, is the fourth choice at +950, just behind the Florida Panthers, the defending Cup champions, who are priced at +850.
USA Today photo by James Guillory
Author
As a writer and analyst for BetCarolina.com, Steve not only covers gaming news and developments in North Carolina but also provides insights into what they mean for bettors, licensed operators and the state. A veteran journalist with 25 years of experience covering sports, politics and business, Steve has reported on the gambling industry intently over the past five years.
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