Elliotte Friedman: NHL Denies Colorado Avalanche's Attempt to Bring Back Mikko Rantanen

Multiple reports confirmed that the Carolina Hurricanes could be tempted to flip Mikko Rantanen, only a month after acquiring him from the Colorado Avalanche in a blockbuster trade involving Martin Necas and many other players.

During the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Hurricanes reportedly made a massive contract offer to Rantanen, but he hasn't accepted, nor refused their offer, as he still needed time to process being traded from the Avalanche:

Also, Rantanen still has the option to return to Colorado. Many rumors suggested that the team could sign him this summer, in free agency, after trading him to the Canes.

Even though it was clear that the Avs wouldn't get back Rantanen on the trade market this season, Elliotte Friedman confirmed that the League wouldn't allow it.

Indeed, in the latest 32 Thoughts episode, Friedman revealed that the NHL would block any attempts made by the Avs to get him back before the trade deadline because a part of his salary was retained in the trade to the Canes.

He also added that a player's salary can only be retained twice, meaning that if Rantanen were to be traded once again this season, only 50% of the 50% remaining could be retained in a deal.

Read the details here:

Rantanen has been struggling since joining the Canes, scoring only three points, including one goal, in his first seven games in Carolina, but management believes he will find his rhythm eventually.

With the Avs, he scored 64 points in 49 games before the trade. While some of this success can be attributed to the fact that he played alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, he is still a great hockey player who can have an impact with any team.