The recent contract extension of Ellias Pettersson could shape the future with Mikko Rantanen approaching the final year of his contract.
The recent contract extension of Ellias Pettersson could shape the future with Mikko Rantanen approaching the final year of his contract.
With the Vancouver Canucks' recent eight-year, $92.8 million extension of their star forward, Elias Pettersson, the groundwork seems to have been laid for what could be the price tag for Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen.
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Petterson, 25, has been a foundational member of the Canucks' organization, recording 165 goals and 398 points through 388 games over the past six seasons. In comparison, Rantanen has played four fewer games than Pettersson over the past three years and produced 30 more points. It is hard to imagine the starting price is not at least $11 million per season.
The 27-year-old Rantanen has one year remaining on his current six-year, $55.5 million contract, which expires at the end of the 2024-25 season. He has remained one of the top point producers for the Avalanche since the 2017-18 season, his second season with the club. Over his nine years with Colorado, he has 251 goals and 591 points in 552 regular season games.
Ahead of his game Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, Rantanen has been at a 1.25-point per game pace for the Avalanche, scoring 122 goals and 275 points over the past three years through 219 regular season games. In that time, the Finnish forward averaged 22 minutes of time on ice per game and a 16% shooting percentage.
He has been a true difference-maker in the regular season and the postseason — 17 goals and 48 points through 37 games in his last three postseason appearances.
The Avalanche will most likely retain the star winger with a long-term contract, but fielding a roster with three players paid more than $9 million will take a lot of work.
With Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Rantanen already within the top 35 highest-paid players in the NHL this season, the club could easily find themselves with two of the top 10 highest-paid in less than two years.
The Avalanche currently have four forwards, four defensemen and one goaltender signed beyond the 2024-25 season. With only nine players now signed, the front office has plenty of options when re-signing players and building toward another championship. However, it also raises plenty of questions as it must ensure enough salary space to sign 14 additional players for a competitive nightly lineup.
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