DALLAS — The Dallas Stars are reportedly bringing in a top-tier right wing to complement their roster just before the trade deadline.
According to ESPN hockey reporter Emily Kaplan, the Stars traded for the Carolina Hurricanes’ Finnish right wing Mikko Rantanen and signed him to an 8-year extension. In return, Dallas is sending Carolina two first-round picks, two third-round picks and center Logan Stankoven, according to Kaplan.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported earlier in the day that Rantanen and Dallas were “closing in on an extension” worth $12 million AAV (average annual value).
The deal would make Rantanen the highest-paid winger in the game and fourth-highest paid player overall by AAV, per Spotrac, which tracks NHL player salaries.
Rantanen would also be the Stars’ highest-paid player, besting left winger Jamie Benn’s $9.5 million AAV, according to Spotrac.
Rantanen spoke to TSN Sports over the phone about the trade and said the fit in Dallas was what he was looking for.
“I’ve played against Dallas a lot. I know they have a good team,” Rantanen told TSN Sports. “I know the city well enough and everything there, and I’ve only heard good things about the organization and everything, so at the end of the day, it was easy. Easy decision at that point.”
The trade deadline move comes as the Stars nip at the heels of the NHL’s best team, the Winnipeg Jets, who have a league-best 90 points. Dallas has the second-highest mark in the league with 84 points, but are still second in the Central Division behind Winnipeg.
The Stars are coming off a perfect homestand (4-0-0) with wins over Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings. Dallas is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.
Rantanen was drafted No. 10 overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche. He spent 9.5 seasons with the Avalanche before being traded in January to the Hurricanes. Rantanen has 27 goals and 70 points this season.