The Mikko Rantanen saga is over in Carolina.
The Dallas Stars have acquired the star winger from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for center Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, along with third-round picks from 2026 and 2027.
Carolina and Dallas closing in on a deal. Details:
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 7, 2025
To #TexasHockey:
Mikko Rantanen – with 8-year extension in place
To #RaiseUp:
F Logan Stankoven
2026 1st Round Pick
2027 1st Round Pick
Plus smaller pieces.
The Stars have also signed Rantanen to an eight-year contract extension at around a $12 million cap hit.
The Stars and Hurricanes had been working on the deal on Thursday, with many reports indicating that the two teams had come to an agreement over the course of the night. However, the deal came with the contingency that the Stars could come to an agreement on a contract extension, which is why the trade was not confirmed until earlier on Friday.
Rantanen was previously acquired by the Hurricanes from the Colorado Avalanche after Rantanen couldn’t come to an agreement on an extension with the Avs. It was part of a three-team trade that also gave the Hurricanes Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks, with the Canes sending Martin Necas and Jack Drury to the Avalanche.
The Canes initially acquired Rantanen in hopes of finally landing the elite finishing talent that they’ve desperately needed for their playoff runs. However, Rantanen struggled with the Hurricanes, and the two couldn’t come to an agreement, so instead of keeping him around as a rental for their playoff run, Carolina looked to move on from him. He was ranked 1st on Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli’s Trade Targets list ahead of the deadline.
Rantanen’s $12 million cap hit hit will make him the fifth-highest paid player after Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid.
Over the course of the entire year, Rantanen has had an excellent year with 27 goals and 43 points for 70 points in 62 games. However, his time with the Hurricanes was not nearly as successful, as he had just 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points in 13 games.
Stankoven was a second-round pick for the Dallas Stars in 2021, and has had a solid rookie season with 9 goals and 20 assists for 29 points in 59 games with the Stars.
Rantanen will look to make his Stars debut when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday at 9 p.m. CST.