NHL Rumor Mill – January 13, 2025
Could the Avalanche peddle Mikko Rantanen if he remains unsigned by the trade deadline? Are the Blue Jackets interested in Canucks center Elias Pettersson? Should the Maple Leafs target Flyers center Scott Laughton? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE AVALANCHE TRADE RANTANEN?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau cited TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reporting last week that Mikko Rantanen would likely be traded if the Colorado Avalanche fail to re-sign him before the March 7 trade deadline.

Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).
Proteau suggests the Avalanche would be better off re-signing Rantanen. The 28-year-old forward is enjoying a banner year offensively, sitting fourth among NHL scorers with 60 points in 44 games. Proteau doubts the Avs would get equal value in return.
Rantanen is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Considering all he’s done for the Avs, his current average annual value of $9.25 million has been a bargain.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Limited cap space could hamper the Avs’ attempts to re-sign Rantanen. If the cap rises to $92.5 million, they’ll have around $12.5 million with 17 active roster players under contract.
A new contract for Rantanen could use up that cap space unless they can shed salary. They could continue getting $7 million in cap relief if captain Gabriel Landeskog’s comeback attempt fails. Otherwise, they’ll have to make a cost-cutting move or two.
The Avs could trade Rantanen by March 7 but they’re more likely to retain him as an “own rental” and deal with his contract negotiations in the offseason. They’ll need him if they hope to stage a Stanley Cup run this spring.
BLUE JACKETS LINKED TO PETTERSSON
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports of recent speculation linking the Columbus Blue Jackets to center Elias Pettersson. The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly gauging the trade market for Pettersson and fellow center J.T. Miller.
“The internet buzz suggested that a Pettersson trade has been discussed with the Blue Jackets, but a team source told The Athletic on Friday that no such trade talks have taken place.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jackets’ depth at center was an issue but they’ve recently addressed that with the addition of Sean Monahan and the ongoing development of Adam Fantilli.
That doesn’t mean general manager Don Waddell wouldn’t be interested in further upgrades. He was GM of the Hurricanes last season when they reportedly discussed a Pettersson trade with the Canucks before the 26-year-old center signed his contract extension. However, it doesn’t sound like he’s among the suitors now.
If Waddell were interested in Pettersson the Canucks will likely want the promising Fantilli as part of the return. That could be a deal breaker for the Blue Jackets.
SHOULD THE LEAFS PURSUE LAUGHTON?
THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle noted that Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers tends to be atop the lists of proposed trade targets for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs want to add more talent down the middle. and Mirtle believes his “versatility, feistiness, and grit” would make him a perfect fit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mirtle goes through the pros and cons of pursuing Laughton. However, it doesn’t appear that the Flyers will trade him. Mirtle’s colleague Kevin Kurz reported last week that a team source said they don’t have much interest in moving Laughton.
If Mirtle is going to speculate on trade “targets” could he at least come up with something with even a remotely realistic chance of happening?
The Flyers are committed to 18 players for 2025-26 with a total cap cost of $69,150,000. Add in the last of their $5,329,762 buyout “dead” space and the anticipated rise of the cap to $92,500,000 and they’ll have in the range of $18 mil to spend on 5 players. They have 4 RFAs to re-up – none expected to be big-ticket items – and 2 negligible UFAs.
Laughton is signed to a cap-friendly $3 mil per for one more season after this. So, why does he think the Flyers would want to move a “versatile, feisty and gritty” C anywhere? To what logical end?
If we applied that standard to the constant spitballing about possible trades there would be no rumours.
File these under: gotta file something for the deadline.
Yeah, but the application of simple logic should be enough to get them searching somewhere else for plausible deals.
See Lyle’s response below to a proposed deal of that nature posted in here
I feel the team that has the best shot at Pettersson is Buffalo. They could offer Cozens, Byram and a pick for Pettersson.
@craig good point
Buffalo does not seem to have the ‘team glue’ CBJ do…..
Buffalo could also move Cozens or another offensive kid+ Byram or Power… but who knows what can fix the Sabres…..
Columbus for EP40 seems smart for both with the prospect depth @ center CBJ have but doesnt help the Canucks much this season.
Columbus can part with 2 of their kids for EP40 not named Fantilli…..or Fantilli + something smaller.
any two of these might entice VAN Kent Johnson 22,Cole Sillinger 21,Luca Del Bel Belluz 21, Gavin Brindley 20
Sillenger, Fabbro and the 2025 Wild 1st for Petey
A third-line center, No. 4-5 defenseman and a pick low in the first round for a center with 100-point capability?
Try again.
If VAN takes Fantilli straight you do it. and you hope Monahan returns healthy and one of your kids is a 2c in a few years.
Sillenger may only be a 3rd line C now, but he is only 21!!!!!! He will play 2C in Van and JT will be 1C. However, the rest of the package is light.
Sillenger, Proverov signed to 7x $7.5M, and the Wild 1st and the ’27 Wild 2nd
That proposal makes a lot more sense than your previous one, provided they get Provorov to agree to an extension. However, I believe they’ll still prefer Fantilli over Sillinger since Miller is in his early-30s and he doesn’t have many prime years left. They could also prefer the Blue Jackets’ first over the Wild’s.
The Avalanche would be crazy to trade Rantanen. Rantanen’s don’t grow on trees. They need to get down to it and lock him up. So what if he makes more than MacKinnon? MacKinnon will just get more when his time comes around again
Hi Tommy Boy
I do believe Rantenen would be offered more (than MacKinnon cap) by other teams; but I have my doubts that Avs end up signing him to more than MacKinnon
Max external offer I could see is 7 @ $13.5 M. $94.5 M
Compare that to a MacKinnon matching Contract : 8 years @ $12.6 M : $100.8 M; not having to start with a new team; not having to part from the only NHL team he’s played for; not having to say good-bye to all his close teammates/friends, not having to learn new systems/linemates/teammates, not having to sell house, not having to move fam, Not having to buy new home, not having to re-establish fam in new city; and guaranteed (any career ending injury could happen down the road) $6.3 M more guaranteed!
8787
A little birdie told me he wants to sign in Boston next year 🤔. Oh we can dream atleast……
8787, like I said, if he gets more than MacKinnon so be it? I can live with him getting 13.5M if that is what it takes! I don’t know what the cap will be when MacKinnon comes around again but I am sure he will get more than his fair share. After all, dreisetal is getting more than McDavid? McDavid will just leapfrog him, too. So, you have to pay up when it’s time and Rantanen’s are few and far between IMHO!
Fair points Tommy boy
That said, Draisitl is still below McDavid (he’ll only have a bigger cap hit for the 25-26 year; and at least in my opinion (you may disagree) Draisitl is better than Ratennen.
If Rantenen does get a higher cap hit than MacKinnon; it will be for 3 seasons (vs. 1 season of Draisitil over McDavid)
The other thing that will affect the offer and potential final contract is, if Rantanen gets say 8 @ $13.5 M; then MacKinnen in 3 years (28/29) when Cap is definitely over $105 M (and to start when MacKinnon is 33) will get $16.5 M, maybe $17 M
If Avs can get Rantanen at $12.6 M; then maybe MacKinnon’s next contract comes in at $15 M
$27.6 M combined vs $30.5 M combined
Almost an extra $3 M towards a supporting cast
Finally, the Landeskog situation has a very big influence on next steps (near and far) for Avs
If this is a career over injury (a possibility) then Avs have a chance to use that space now to bolster roster; and that space for roster next season and beyond
Laughton is a good 3C but he’s a lefty.
Leafs need a RH centre. How about Bjugstad from Utah or Evans from MTL?
They could use Marner as a 2C and put Tavares at 3C.
Domi played well with Matthews last year while Marner was out.
Leafs also need to figure out Rielly. Do they try to find him a RH partner or try to move him? I know he has a NTC…think he’d waive to go to VAN?
While I agree with you that Toronto needs a RHC and Bjugstad would be a good fit. Both Marner and Nylander are highly skilled wingers, neither are centre material, neither are any good in the faceoff circle, which one of the main reasons for getting a RHC. While Nylander will occasionally venture to the front of the net, for Marner that`s forbidden territory and to be an effective centre net front presence is a must. You want to trade Rielly, for what and just how do you replace Rielly. Puck moving dmen don`t grow on trees, considering every NHL team not named Colorado is looking for one and for the first time in years Toronto`s defence isn`t a problem, now you want to start trading them. Remember Larry Murphy
Yogi what puck distributor sets up office in front of the net? Why do guys like you think all players should do the one thing all players can do with different degrees of success?
Also any player is replaceable to a degree and Rielly is and his contract is very replaceable. Tanev who is not known a a “puck moving” defender seems to have the Leafs break out better and at a higher success rate than when Rielly is on the ice and he isn’t anything like Murphy was.
CBJ will have to pay in quantity as Pettersson is the best player in any trade.
Fantilli, Johnson and Olivier might pique Vancouver interest.
You evaluate Pettersson highly. He had one excellent season at 102 points, but that seems to be an outlier.
Not saying he isn’t good, he seems to be levelling off as a point per game player. But your suggestion is a massive overpay that will never happen.
LJ,
Pettersson ‘s last 3 seasons:
32g-68 pts
39g-102 pts.
34g-89 pts.
This year 10g-29 pts
If anything this year is the outlier.
Fantilli has potential but hasn’t proven anything yet.
Johnson was trade bait this summer as CBJ lost confidence in him.
Olivier is bottom 6, a heavy honest character gamer.
Not an overpayment by any means but I think the trade talk is just pundits spitballing.
HF30, I do tend to be conservative when contemplating trades. But I see Petterssen’s 102 point season as an outlier, in the same way I see Huberdeault.s 115 point season, Kahdri’s 87 points in 71 games as outliers.
I feel the same way about Jake Evans’ mini hot streak this year, an outlier which would prompt me to re-sign him, but at his typical performance.
But the final word goes to CBJ and the Canucks. IMO if CBJ offered what you suggest for Petterssen he’s be traded already.
@LJ I`m not a big Pettersson fan, but he`s a bonified 100+ point guy. He`d be Montreal`s #1 centre. So if you think Pettersson isn`t worth a lot, that means Suzuki won`t be worth much in your opinion, maybe a 2nd and a decent prospect, considering he`s not even close to Pettersson`s production. You have to remember if you devalue other teams players, it also applies to your teams players
LJ,
Vancouver trading a ppg centre who you can pencil in for 30-40 goals and he’s only 26, so he still has runway.
they need to get back a comparable or potential.
Plenty of players never manage to live up to expectations or potential and that’s why Fantilli and Johnson are two birds in the bush for one bird (Pettersson) in the hand.
This trade would be a short term win for CBJ with hopefully long term recovery and gain for Vancouver.
Still there Yogi? My evaluation of player is fair game for debate but it is also has nothing to do with bias for – or against – Habs.
Did you not read my cautionary comment about Evans’ worth? Don’t manufacture a rebuttal on a point I neither made nor implied.
You say Petterssen is a bona fide 100+ point guy. He did it once, and then regressed to his mean. Come back when he has done it a second time.
LJ, while he did exceed 100 pts only once so far, if you look at his carer totals, and take into account that a few of his seasons consisted of less than 82 games (for various reasons), on an 82-game average over 443 career games played he registers at 33g 48a 81 pts – so in effect a point a game player.
That’s exactly what I am saying, George.
Toronto is paying a point-a-game player $11 mil per … and he’s worth it.
George, the debate is about whether Petterssen is worth the three CBJ players that HF30 proposed in exchange. It has morphed into whether his big season is what we an expect or an outlier, not been about whether he is worth 11+.
LJ,
Huberdeau’s big season was an outlier.
30 goals-115 pts.
15 goals-55 pts.
12 goals-52 points
rebounding this year.
Pettersson
32g-68 pts
39g-102 pts.
34g-89 pts.
not much of a drop-off , goals are pretty steady, assists fluctuate.
He’s an elite centre
@LJ if I go by your statement that Pettersson has to get 100 pts at least twice to be considered a bonified 100 pt man, then your argument about Habfan30 goes out the window because Fantilli Johnson and Olivier isn`t an overpayment because those 3 players have proved nothing yet in the NHL. You call it an overpayment because of the potential of the 3 players and yet you won`t give Pettersson credit for that same potential to score a 100+ season in the future. You change your argument to soot your needs. You either base your argument on only what a player has done or on a players potential to do. If you want to base your argument only on what a player has done, then all prospects are worthless because they haven`t done a thing yet. If you took the time to watch Pettersson you would agree he`ll score 100+again.
LJ, I realize what the debate is about. My point in mentioning the $11 mil was simply to suggest that, in terms of a trade, he’s also clearly worth whatever a team is willing to relinquish in order to get him. And I don’t think 3 players that have yet to demonstrate anything substantial at the NHL level is an over-payment for someone who has been a consistent point-a-game player with an obvious ability yo go even higher.
You just don’t trade Fantilli for Pettersson…why would Columbus do that…they are young and progressing Pettersson is a cream puff
8787, I will give you credit where credit is due! You make some good financial points about future contracts and such; however, I am not sure the Avalanche can get him @ 12.6M? To me, I’m ok with him getting more than MacKinnon for the time being. And when mac is due being that age does give you a pause. At the same time mac is in unbelievable shape and I am sure he will be then as well given his nature. I don’t necessarily agree that draiseitil is better than Rantanen. He is great but so isn’t Rantanen. We could probably argue all day on that. The bottom line is the Avalanche have 3 superstars that have to get paid. To lose Rantanen because you are too frugal would be a mistake. If that is how management is thinking then you might as well look to trade him. I don’t think they are. Maybe they will utilize the upcoming 4nations tournament to get it done? Otherwise, I think it would be a mistake to let it linger!!
Some excellent points again Tommy Boy
The debate could go on and on re Draisitl/Ratinen
We’d both have strong arguments but unlikely to sway the other. That’s just what debates are about
As fans for sure we’d not be squeamish about doling out an extra $M per year (on an 8 year contract) to keep a star player
I did however err on the overlap times of contract for MacKinnon/Ratenan
I hadn’t expanded the screen view in PuckPedia
Their contract overlap would be 6 years not 3.
So if Rantanen gets more that MacKinnon; it’s for 6 years.
Also MacKinnon IS the top player in the league right now ; has trophies in his living room; and signed current contract less than 3 weeks after turning 27
Rantanen is a great player; but is not MacKinnon, AND Rantanen will be almost 29 (vs just 27) when signing this contract.
From what I’ve read, he wants to stay
My gut feeling is that he doesn’t get more (maybe the same) than MacKinnon
If you’ve read my posts before, my predictions have not been proven true very often
Time will tell
Who knows, maybe he holds out for a crazy Knights’ offer (but don’t forget, that’s change and upheaval as well as only 7 years [albeit with the tax advantages]
Just for our creative exchange today I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you with a heartfelt 5 for 1 offer
Hayes, Grzylcyk, Accairi, Nieto, O’ Connor
For Rantenen
Give it a thought
Thanks in advance for your consideration
🤓😂
3way trade which brings Fantilli to Vancouver AND Norris from Ottawa?
Good luck giving up the assets to aqcuire Horris from the Sens. You would be talking an equal star or a 1st, top prospect to make it happen
Norris had the one 35 goal season but never a point per game season. and the injuries. Doubt JT Miller would waive for Ottawa but he is a better right now than Norris
Fantilli might be the only player Columbus wont trade for Pettersson. What about Jiricek/Mateychuk+Kent Johnson/Silinger and Severson(who isnt as bad as it looks but it just isnt working in Columbus)+2025 first for Pettersson and Höglander?
Kent
Jiricek has already been traded by CBJ.
Vancouver is definitely in a tough spot. Miller seems to be the type of player every team needs to win but might also be the type of player that grates on the nerves of his teammates.
Any idea why he has been traded previously? Could it be the same reasons as what is occurring now?
I looked up prospects rankings from start of season, my bad. As for Miller, my belief is that when he left nyr, he just wasn’t very good even if he thought he was, and never realized his potential. as for Tampa I think it was the same but the main reason was cap crunch. As for in the locker room, if you are to complain about other players you canthave many flaws yourself, and Miller has for all his positives plenty of flaws
Ottawa rumblings to move Norris partially for cap reasons…
i dont think i am too far off
VAN
Josh Norris
Wilds 1st
Gavin Brindley
OTT
Kent Johnson(similar points as Norris for 7 million less)
CJB
Petterson
There are no rumblings from the Senators management group about wanting to deal Norris, and any in the media cite the usual (unidentified of course therefore freely ubiquitous) “league executive.” Take those column fillers with a grain of salt.
CBJ, are not trying to destroy what they are building.
Fantilli, Johnson, and sillinger stay.
I am trading Johnson before either Russian winger. with both Sillingers there i would think they dont move Cole? and yeah for the potential thanks to being loaded with young forwards adding EP40 is good or bad?
Laughton and a 1st for Norris ?
This reminds me of the arbitration hearings… seeing so much negative talk about Norris while at the same time so many proposals to acquire him haha 😛
Tip of the cap to George O for pointing the Krakens woes squarely on P Grubauer. He promptly let 3 get by him in the first few minutes and shots before getting yanked! Nailed it George O.
Heh, thanks Ducky 10. But no credit should go to me. All I did was examine the stats and whatever anyone else may think, math doesn’t lie. It’s the basis for everything.
Pettersson is a light weight at 11.5. Very good release but that it’s for me.
Rantanen has all that and the physicality .Let’s start the bidding at $13m
I don’t think Buffalo would trade Cozens. Even for Pettersson.
Benson Byram Krebs and a host of others except Cousins Dahlin Thompson Powers