Highly Conflicting Saga As Avalanche Not Close to Extending $1,000 Superstar Gifted Player

The Colorado Avalanche will have their work cut out for them while negotiating with one of their star forwards.

The Colorado Avalanche consistently rank among the top teams in the NHL, largely due to stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. However, another crucial player contributing to their success is high-scoring forward Mikko Rantanen.

Rantanen has recorded fewer than 20 goals in a season just twice: during the 2015-16 season when he played only nine games, and in 2019-20 due to the COVID pandemic, where he still managed to score 19 goals.

As one of the team’s leading goal-scorers, Rantanen is entering the final year of his contract, earning $ 9.25 million, making him one of the top earners on the Avalanche. It’s anticipated that he will seek a salary increase in his next contract.

According to Pierre LeBrun from TSN during Insider Trading, the Avalanche may face challenges in renewing Rantanen’s contract. “Negotiations haven’t yet led to an extension… There’s a gap here,” LeBrun noted. “This should happen, but it’s uncertain.”

On the open market, Rantanen could command a significant salary, potentially over $ 10 million annually. At 27 years old, he’s a skilled player with the potential to net 50 goals in a season.

The only player on the Avalanche making more than Rantanen is MacKinnon, with a salary of $ 12.6 million, the highest in the NHL for the 2023-24 season. LeBrun suggested that this might set an internal salary cap for the team.

Rantanen has the option to sign an extension at any point this season. However, negotiations may be protracted, as he deserves a higher salary while the team needs to manage its budget wisely.

In the season opener, Rantanen showcased his value by scoring a hat trick against the Vegas Golden Knights