Ryan S. Clarke of The Athletic: Pierre LeBrun reported that the Colorado Avalanche made a long-term offer to restricted free agent forward Mikko Rantanen.
Have learned that the Avalanche are looking to sign Rantanen to a six to eight-year deal with an AAV around $8.4 to $8.75 million.
Rantanen’s camp may be looking for $9.5 million a season. If that was the number for a long-term deal then it might work for the Avs, but if the $9.5 million is on a three-year bridge deal, then it would be a nonstarter.
The Avs had previously been open to a short-term deal but now prefer a long-term deal.
Adrian Dater: Mike Liut, the agent for Mikko Rantanen: “during the past few days we have received a number of calls/emails/texts speculating or stating they have heard, or they saw a report, regarding the Avs’ offer and they are inaccurate.”
Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now: So we know that Mikko Rantanen and the Colorado Avalanche don’t appear to be close on a new deal.
The Avs are thinking more in the Sebastian Aho and Leon Draisaitl range of $8.5 million and not Mitch Marner’s $10.9 million.
Two sources who are close to the situation have said the report of the Avs long-term offer that tops out at $8.7 million per season are “inaccurate.”
We have learned that a deal at around $9.5 million could work for Rantanen’s camp at least.
Could a five-year, $47.5 million deal work? A two-year, $19 million deal or three years and $28.5 million?
Any contract beyond four years is buying UFA years. There is no chance that Rantanen would do a long-term deal at $8.5 million.
