As the NHL trade deadline rapidly approaches, contending teams across the league are actively pursuing the offensive firepower necessary to make a serious push for the Stanley Cup. The Carolina Hurricanes, in an effort to strengthen their roster, attempted to acquire star winger Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche near the end of January.
Rantanen has established himself as one of the league’s most consistently productive goal-scorers, benefiting from his position on Colorado’s high-powered top line, which is anchored by Nathan MacKinnon.
Rantanen remains a highly sought-after player across the NHL. The combination of his expiring contract and the prospect of his upcoming free agency has created a perception of attainability, leading to ongoing inquiries from various teams to the Carolina Hurricanes regarding a potential trade. Among those teams expressing interest are the Los Angeles Kings, as reported by Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
Los Angeles Kings Attempting To Add Mikko Rantanen
“The Kings are believed to be among the teams that checked in with Carolina on Mikko Rantanen, but nothing seems to be cooking there,” Johnston and LeBrun wrote. “If anything, the Kings are likely to swing for a single rather than a home run.
“There seem to be some encouraging signs in Los Angeles about the way the group is coming together. The current wish list includes a middle-six winger.”
Last week it was reported that the Kings are making offense their priority ahead of the trade deadline. According to New York Times NHL analyst Pierre LeBrun, while the Los Angeles Kings do not exhibit any significant gaps in their current lineup, they are actively considering adding more offensive firepower.
“The Los Angeles Kings are playing some of their best hockey of the season and should not be the forgotten team in that battle with the Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights for the Pacific Division title,” LeBrun wrote. “They also don’t have a screaming, glaring hole to fit ahead of the March 7 trade deadline.
“My understanding is they want to land a mid-range, top-nine forward who can add some offense — someone who can jump on a second line and chip in offensively.”
That said, it sounds like they will have to make a convincing offer to get Rantanen to the West Coast.
“Unless someone steps up with a can’t-miss offer on Mikko Rantanen, the Hurricanes have likely already made their biggest moves,” Johnston and LeBrun wrote.
“While they continue to field calls on Rantanen, a pending unrestricted free agent who has indicated the need for more time before considering his options beyond this season, the most likely outcome for Carolina is holding on to the big winger for a playoff run and another shot at contract talks afterward.”