Blood in the water around Rantanen trade? Can Edmonton Oilers pounce?

As the NHL season progresses and trade rumors begin to swirl, one of the most tantalizing possibilities has emerged in the form of Mikko Rantanen. The Colorado Avalanche’s star winger has been a key player for the team since joining the NHL, but now, whispers are starting to surface about the possibility of him being traded. With the Colorado Avalanche in a bit of flux this season and their long-term financial future somewhat uncertain, could Mikko Rantanen be the next big trade piece? And if so, are the Edmonton Oilers in a position to capitalize on this opportunity?

Let’s take a deep dive into the situation surrounding Rantanen, his potential trade, and whether the Edmonton Oilers could swoop in and make a move for the talented Finnish forward.

Mikko Rantanen’s Current Situation in Colorado

Mikko Rantanen has been one of the pillars of the Colorado Avalanche offense since being drafted in 2015. With a unique combination of size, speed, and skill, Rantanen has been consistently one of the league’s top wingers. The 2024-25 season was no exception, with Rantanen continuing to produce points at an impressive pace. However, despite his individual success, the Avalanche have faced some challenges as a team this season.

The Colorado Avalanche are currently dealing with injuries to key players, cap constraints, and the challenge of trying to balance their roster for future success. The team has a number of high-profile contracts, with captain Gabriel Landeskog and defenseman Cale Makar among the notable figures consuming a large portion of the salary cap. With the Avalanche’s salary cap already tight, and with the prospect of having to navigate some significant extensions in the near future, general manager Joe Sakic may be exploring ways to free up cap space and reshape the team.

This could open the door for a potential trade involving Rantanen, even though it would be an incredibly difficult decision to make. Rantanen is one of the top wingers in the NHL and is considered by many as one of the best players on the Avalanche roster. He’s been a consistent 30-goal scorer and has been an integral part of Colorado’s offense. However, the NHL is a business, and business decisions are often about making tough calls.

The Rantanen Trade Rumors: Is There Blood in the Water?

While the idea of trading Mikko Rantanen may seem far-fetched, there is some merit to the rumors. In the ever-evolving world of the NHL, especially when teams face cap concerns or a potential roster overhaul, even the most valuable players are not safe from trade speculation.

Several factors are contributing to the growing sense that a Rantanen trade could become a reality:

1. Salary Cap Crunch: The Avalanche are already up against the cap, and they still have a number of key players who will need new contracts in the near future. Players like Makar, who will be looking for a significant payday, along with several other core pieces, could put Colorado in a position where they must make difficult decisions regarding who to keep and who to move. Trading Rantanen, one of the team’s highest-paid players, would open up significant cap space that could be used to secure the team’s future while retaining younger, emerging talent.
2. Team Performance: While the Avalanche are certainly a talented team, they’ve been inconsistent this season. Injuries have plagued the squad, and at times, the team has seemed disjointed despite having one of the most talented rosters in the league. If the Avalanche front office determines that this core group isn’t enough to push them toward another Stanley Cup in the near future, a trade of a player like Rantanen could signal a shift in the team’s long-term approach. Rebuilding or retooling could become more appealing if Colorado feels it can no longer compete at the top level with its current roster.
3. Rantanen’s Value: Despite the Avalanche’s challenges this season, Rantanen’s value has never been higher. He’s still in the prime of his career and is consistently putting up impressive offensive numbers. For any team looking to add a top-tier forward, Rantanen represents an incredible opportunity. If Colorado is going to entertain trading him, the return would likely be substantial, including several young assets, draft picks, or potentially a top-tier player in return.

Could the Edmonton Oilers Pounce on Rantanen?

Now that we’ve explored the possibility of a Mikko Rantanen trade, let’s shift our focus to the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are a team that has been competitive in recent years, but they have yet to secure the ultimate prize: the Stanley Cup. With a roster that features two of the best players in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers are well-positioned to make a serious push for the Cup. However, they are still missing key pieces, particularly on the wing, to round out their forward group and complement their elite players.

In this context, Mikko Rantanen could be the perfect acquisition for the Oilers. Let’s break down why the Oilers could and should be interested in a trade for Rantanen.

1. Offensive Firepower to Complement McDavid and Draisaitl

The Oilers are already one of the most potent offensive teams in the league, largely due to the incredible performances of McDavid and Draisaitl. However, they’ve often been criticized for their lack of depth scoring and secondary threats on the wing. While players like Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have stepped up in the past, there are still questions about the long-term viability of the Oilers’ depth scoring.

Mikko Rantanen would solve this problem in a hurry. His ability to score from almost anywhere on the ice, combined with his elite playmaking ability, would make him a perfect fit alongside McDavid or Draisaitl. Rantanen’s skill set and physicality would allow him to complement the Oilers’ two superstars, providing them with the additional offensive weaponry they need to dominate opposing teams.

2. Addressing the Wing Position

While the Oilers have solid centers and defensemen, they’ve consistently been searching for a top-end winger who can consistently produce at the level of McDavid and Draisaitl. Acquiring Rantanen would immediately address this need, giving the Oilers a legitimate top-line winger who can compete with the best of them. With the Oilers’ cap situation somewhat tight, Rantanen could be the type of player who would elevate the team’s offensive depth in ways that are crucial to competing for a Stanley Cup.

3. Stanley Cup Window: Now or Never

The Oilers are in a prime position to contend for the Stanley Cup, especially with McDavid and Draisaitl still playing at an elite level. The time for the Oilers to capitalize on their superstar duo is now, as both players are in the heart of their careers and in their prime. Adding a player like Rantanen would help the team push for the Cup immediately, rather than waiting for further development or hoping for more homegrown talent to step up.

4. Cap Space and Assets to Make a Deal

While the Oilers are a salary-cap team, they do have some room to make a move. As of the 2024-25 season, Edmonton has a bit of flexibility to make a deal that could bring in a player of Rantanen’s caliber. The key for Edmonton will be finding a way to balance the cap situation while also offering a strong enough package to Colorado in exchange for Rantanen.

The Oilers could potentially offer a combination of young players, draft picks, and maybe even a veteran roster player to balance the deal. Players like Kailer Yamamoto, Warren Foegele, or even a promising prospect could be included in trade talks. Moreover, a deal for Rantanen would fit with the Oilers’ timeline—trading for a win-now player like Rantanen aligns with their pursuit of a Stanley Cup.

The Trade Rumor Mill: What Could a Rantanen Trade Look Like?

If the Oilers were to pursue Rantanen, it would likely involve a package that includes young players, draft picks, and possibly a veteran who can help the Avalanche now or in the near future. Some potential trade scenarios could include:

• Package 1: Kailer Yamamoto, a 1st-round draft pick, and a prospect (e.g., Dylan Holloway) for Mikko Rantanen. This would provide Colorado with an immediate contributor in Yamamoto, a first-rounder for future flexibility, and a high-upside prospect in Holloway to build around.
• Package 2: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a 2nd-round pick, and a prospect like Philip Broberg for Mikko Rantanen. This deal would give Colorado a veteran presence in Nugent-Hopkins, who could provide leadership and depth scoring, while also getting a high-potential defenseman like Broberg.