Are The Rangers A Sleeper Team In The Mikko Rantanen Sweepstakes?

Mikko Rantanen is back on the trade market and that leads to the question, should the New York Rangers go after the superstar forward?

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, The Carolina Hurricanes are beginning to explore trade options for Rantanen. 

“According to multiple sources, the Carolina Hurricanes are doing their Mikko Rantanen due diligence, checking out potential returns as either a rental or with an extension — assuming he’s willing to sign anywhere before July 1,” Friedman wrote. 

Friedman adds that the teams that have an interest in Rantanen that he specifically knows of are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings. 

While Friedman left out the Rangers, that doesn't necessarily mean the Blueshirts don’t have any interest. 

The Rangers certainly have the assets to make a deal and acquire a player the likes of Rantanen and it would track with the reports indicating that Chris Drury is looking to make a big splash. 

However, the logistics of a potential deal don’t make all that much sense. Firstoff, the Rangers would have to be sure Rantanen is willing to sign an extension, which at this point seems murky based on his current situation in Carolina. 

Also, the Hurricanes trading Rantanen to a Metropolitan Division rival seems highly unlikely. We generally don’t see teams trading all-star level talent inside their own division and this instance will likely be no different. 

Obviously, anything is possible, but don’t hold your breath on the Rangers acquiring Rantanen.