Talk about the new Sheriff in Dallas, and here we are. If you’re lucky enough, you’d either pick up a ‘wild, wild west’ accent or witness the occasional tumbleweed roll across the frame in the background. We’ve set the stage for Mikko Rantanen in Dallas. In exchange, the Canes picked up 22-year-old forward Logan Stankoven, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, a third-round pick in the 2026 draft, and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

That’s a lot of draft picks; it looks like someone is in the rebuilding phase. But did you know that before the Dallas Stars could acquire Rantanen, the Edmonton Oilers were also contenders for Mikko? They could have snagged him. Yup, you saw that right. Rantanen could have also possibly been an Oiler by now had things gone favorable for the Oilers in that trade.

Ryan Rishaug, an NHL insider, revealed on X on March 8, “Oilers took a huge swing yesterday. Sources say Rantanen had an interest in coming to Edmonton, and things were well down the path of an extension being agreed to – $ were north of what Dallas signed him for. In the end, the trade assets weren’t there to get it done. Also, it sounds like they looked in on Rakell and Donato.” Maybe signing Rantanen will help the Dallas Stars vie for the Stanley Cup as top contenders after 26 years.

Before we dive into fans’ hilarious reactions, let’s break down the details of Mikko Rantanen’s trade. First, TSN confirmed that the Oilers had an interest in Rantanen. However, the real issue was the trade itself. The Oilers simply didn’t have what the Hurricanes wanted in exchange for the elite forward. As previously mentioned, the Dallas Stars sealed the deal by offering a package that included a 2026 first- and third-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 first-round selection.

It was also reported that the 28-year-old forward expected an annual average salary of $14 million. According to PuckPedia, the Oilers have just $1,075,560 in current cap space, whereas the Stars have over $9 million—nine times what the Oilers have. This put the Stars in a much better position to negotiate. Though they will take on Rantanen’s $12 million cap hit, the deal makes sense if they clinch a playoff spot. Why? As Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill told reporters, “Mikko’s experience in the postseason is an invaluable asset to our team as we work toward the goal of winning a Stanley Cup.” This season, the right winger has racked up 27 goals and 43 assists, bringing his points total to 70.

But there’s another key reason why Rantanen agreed to a $12 million AAV deal. The Sporting News reported that Texas’ tax laws played a major role in the trade. Bryan Murphy of Sporting News explained, “Dallas was able to convince Rantanen to take the cut in salary due to Texas’ relaxed state taxes as opposed to other states, but still, it’s a tough look for the winger who wouldn’t sign a similar deal with either his homegrown club or the team that went out of their way to trade for him.” Neither the Avalanche, Hurricanes, nor the Stars were willing to meet Rantanen’s initial $14 million demand.

Rantanen was highly sought after. The Oilers currently sit second in the Pacific Division and are on track to make the playoffs if they maintain or improve their position. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars are in the same spot in the Central Division, with 84 points, trailing the Jets by eight. Their win-loss record shows that after 62 games, the Stars have won an impressive 41. The Oilers, on the other hand, have won 36 of their 62 games, sitting at 76 points. Connor McDavid’s team is six points behind the Golden Knights, which explains why the competition to acquire an elite forward was so intense.

Ultimately, the Dallas Stars won the race for Rantanen. While the deal itself is surprising, the Oilers fans’ reactions have been even more shocking. Many are furious about Rishaug’s update. Want to know how they’re reacting? Let’s dive in!

Fans can’t believe the Oilers had interest in Mikko Rantanen

One fan felt slighted, saying, “Sounds like a load of s—🤣.” Another highlighted the Oilers’ financial situation, questioning, “I have no idea how they would have made the money work as an extension.” Building on that, another fan expressed skepticism, adding, “I’m not sure if this was going to be a great move, considering the cap and the holes on the team elsewhere. But star players rarely become available. Ideally, the Oilers should stockpile some assets so that if a star defenseman or goaltender becomes available, they have the means to acquire them.”

As Rishaug dropped this controversial update, fans couldn’t hold back, personally trolling him. One fan dismissed the rumor outright, saying, “He would never agree to come here !! Get your facts straight 🤡🤡.” Another took a more humorous approach, ranking Rishaug among the top comedians: “Top Stand-up Comedians: 3. Louis CK 2. Dave Chappelle 1. Ryan Rishaug.” The disbelief was palpable, with one fan simply commenting, “April Fools?”

While the Oilers, Hurricanes, and Stars know what truly happened behind the scenes, one thing is clear: Mikko Rantanen’s trade has sent shockwaves through the NHL. The Stars are now on the brink of securing their spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The big question remains—can Rantanen’s arrival help them relive the glory of their 1999 Stanley Cup win?