The Phantom Call

Let’s talk about the Mikko Rantanen saga—the Finnish freight train who’s been traded more times this season than my grandma swaps gossip at bingo night. As of today, March 7, 2025, Rantanen’s journey has taken him from Colorado to Carolina, and now to Dallas with a shiny new eight-year, $96 million deal ($12 million AAV). That’s a lot of cheddar for a guy who’s spent less time with the Hurricanes than I do deciding what to order at In-N-Out. And honestly? I’m thrilled Utah didn’t throw their hat in the ring for this one. Here’s why.

First off, let’s address the elephant—or rather, the Moose—in the room. Rantanen’s a good player. Great, even. The dude’s got 687 points in 632 NHL games, a Stanley Cup ring from 2022 with Colorado, and the physical presence of a guy who could bench-press a Zamboni. But $12 million a year? For a guy who managed just six points (two goals, four assists) in 13 games with the Hurricanes? That’s like paying Michelin-star prices for a Happy Meal. Sure, his underlying numbers were solid in Raleigh—scoring chances galore—but the puck wasn’t going in. Maybe he was just too busy adjusting his helmet to match Carolina’s red sweaters.

Now, don’t get me wrong—Rantanen’s resume is impressive. Two straight 100-point seasons with the Avalanche, skating alongside superstars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, who basically turn anyone into a point machine. But here’s the kicker: take away that dynamic duo, and what’s he got? In Carolina, sans MacKinnon and Makar, he looked more like a moose lost in the woods than a game-changer. Utah’s roster isn’t exactly stacked with playmakers of that caliber yet. We’ve got Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley, sure, but expecting Rantanen to carry the load here without a MacKinnon-level sidekick feels like asking a sled dog to pull a semi-truck.

And speaking of carrying the load—mental fortitude matters, folks. Physical skills and past stats are one thing, but being the guy who drags a team to glory when the chips are down? That’s a whole different beast. Rantanen’s never had to prove he’s that dude. In Colorado, MacKinnon was the heart and soul. In Carolina, he barely had time to unpack his bags before getting shipped to Dallas. Now, with the Stars, he’s joining a star-studded cast (pun absolutely intended) where he can blend into the galaxy of talent—Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, you name it. No pressure to be the leading man there. Utah, though? We’d need him to be the superhero, not just a sidekick. And at $12 million a year, I’m not betting on an unproven cape.

The trade haul Dallas gave up—Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks, and two thirds—is steep too. Utah’s still building, and tossing that kind of future into the pot for a guy who hasn’t shown he can be the difference-maker feels like overpaying for a fancy snowblower when you live in the desert. Rantanen’s good, but he hasn’t proven he’s worth that much without an elite supporting cast. Dallas can afford to roll the dice—they’re all-in for a Cup now. Utah? We’re still figuring out how to lace up our skates without tripping.

So, yeah, I’m glad Utah sat this one out. Let Dallas enjoy their shiny new Moose. I’ll take our cap space, our prospects, and a good laugh at the idea of paying a king’s ransom for a guy who might just be a really tall Robin, not a Batman. Here’s to building smart—and maybe dodging a $96 million bullet.