Former AGM Steve Werier makes a bold prediction regarding Mikko Rantanen's future contract

There's buzz lately that Carolina would trade Mikko Rantanen if he won't sign by the deadline. It sounds preposterous, given what the Canes gave up to get him and what he brings to their Cup contender status. But it's a possibility.

The only franchise that can offer Rantanen eight years at the moment is the Canes, but that's not his priority for two reasons.

First, if negotiations collapse prior to July 1, Carolina will make sure to trade his rights for value. As with Matthew Tkachuk's sign-and-trade, Rantanen can still get an eight-year deal elsewhere with the right maneuvering.

Second, he's 28 years old and one of the league's top players, so Rantanen must maximize his pay for nine years, not eight. If he keeps playing at this level, a team could sign him to a one-year contract at or near the CBA max ($19M+) for 2025-26.

Then, after the 2026 deadline, that same team could sign him to an eight-year extension at a more acceptable cap hit, especially if Mitch Marner's next deal sets a precedent.

This 1+8 strategy is beneficial to both the team (cap flexibility) and Rantanen (more total compensation).

Former AGM Steve Werier named Utah as a perfect fit for Rantanen. Utah's Ryan Smith, who is a brazen businessman who just sold his company for $8 billion, seems like someone who would not be afraid to make a jump like this.

With cap space and energetic young talent such as Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and Clayton Keller, Utah could be a viable destination for Rantanen.