Mikko Rantanen Fires Back at Rumours of Wanting Huge Money to Stay in Colorado
Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mikko Rantanen, the centrepiece of the biggest NHL trade in a while, is shutting down suggestions that he was shipped out of Colorado because of money
While NHL insiders have suggested that money was the decided factor in the trade involving Mikko Rantanen, the player himself insists that wasn't it.
After admitting to shock while breaking his silence for the first time since the blockbuster trade , Mikko Rantanen says any suggestion that he would only stay with the Colorado Avalanche if he got top-dollar on his next deal is false.
Rantanen told Finnish reporters in a locker room interview that talks on an extension with the Avs were already underway, and he was more than willing to take below market value to remain in Colorado.
"I don't think that's true. I don't want to talk exact numbers, but I was willing to take a significant cut below my market value. That's why this trade was such a shock to me."
Rantanen added he had no idea the trade was coming.
"To be honest, I didn't think I would be traded. I strongly believed that an extension would be made at some point, but they decided otherwise."
Rantanen has already played his first game with his new team, the Carolina Hurricanes, but failed to hit the scoresheet.
Rantanen is on the final year of a six year contract worth $9.25 million. The trade did not involve an immediate extension with the Canes.
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JANVIER 26 | 1023 ANSWERS Mikko Rantanen Fires Back at Rumours of Wanting Huge Money to Stay in Colorado Do you think Mikko Rantanen is being completely honest in saying his trade to the Carolina Hurricanes wasn't because his asking price was too expensive? | ||
| Yes | 231 | 22.6 % |
| No | 660 | 64.5 % |
| Not sure | 132 | 12.9 % |
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