Mikko Rantanen went from Colorado to Carolina and finally settled for Dallas. This transition was far less smooth, as several other teams were in the mix before the last-minute trade ahead of the deadline. Many teams showed interest, but nothing materialized before the eight-year deal with the Dallas Stars. Yet, things got interesting just when you thought the drama was over.

The Rantanen trade discussion reignited when Canes head coach Rod Brind’Amour shed light on why the Finnish superstar left so quickly. After all, the Canes spent a considerable amount of resources getting Rantanen in the first place. Brind’Amour claimed, “When he showed up, he said ‘there’s four teams I’ll go play for, and you’re not one of them.’“ on the 999 The Fan radio show.

Now Mikko Rantanen’s agent has come forward with their version of events. “We made it unequivocal that we were focused on Colorado,” said NHL agent Andy Scott, speaking on the Sportsnet 590 The Fan radio show. While the statement lined up with Brind’Amour’s explanation, fans didn’t buy what came next. “To Mikko’s credit, I mean, he, he really kept an open mind,” said Scott.

The agent hinted that while Rantanen initially wanted to stay with Colorado, he was open to every possibility, including staying with the Carolina Hurricanes. However, fans were reluctant to accept Scott’s explanation after all the drama and rumored deals with the Toronto Maple Leafs and others. “That’s a bad look, yikes!!!” commented one fan.

However, Andy Scott’s statement about Mikko Rantanen staying open-minded, lined up with the NHL star’s own response. Rantanen defended himself after Rod Brind’Amour said that the Canes were unaware that the forward would have one foot out the door since arriving. Beat reporter Robert Tiffin explained the 28-year-old’s response to the Hurricanes head coach.

“Some things were said that I had a list of teams already when I went there, but that’s false… I want to make it clear, I was open-minded in Carolina and really thought about staying there,” Rantanen said as per Tiffin. Yet hockey fans were still on the fence about Andy Scott’s statement.

Fans had questions about the Mikko Rantanen situation

Hockey fans immediately raised questions about Andy Scott’s explanation of the situation. “Agent going around doing press like this seems desperate to change the story,” one fan commented about the trade drama after Rantanen transferred to the Dallas Stars. Unfortunately, different versions of what went down are all fans will get, as no one is privy to the inner workings of a team.

Yet, the questions kept coming from NHL fans who directed the agent’s comments about the trade. “It is extremely unlikely that a patent holder and PhD (and Canes Legal) misunderstood your ‘unequivocal’ terms of being focused on Colorado,” a netizen questioned Mikko Rantanen’s agent. Instead, the fan insinuated that there’s more to this story than either party may have revealed.

“Your mishandling of this situation has 2 fan bases against YOU and your Client. Saying this now instead of after the trade is worth nothing,” said the fan. The fans are on the fence due to other reasons as well. After all, rumors that the Canes were eager to trade Rantanen swirled around as well. Sports Illustrated reported that the Canes had approached several teams.

As per SI, Carolina wanted to test the “interest level” other teams had in acquiring the star forward. Several teams answered those calls. Everyone, from the LA Kings to the Edmonton Oilers, reportedly showing interest in the Finnish forward. Meanwhile, others went further back and questioned Andy Scott’s explanation of Mikko Rantanen ending up in Carolina in the first place.

“That makes zero sense. (Eric) Tulsky wouldn’t have made a trade for someone who didn’t want to come here,” stated the fan. Eric Tulsky himself didn’t seem to have any qualms about Rantanen choosing the Stars of the Cane. The Hurricanes GM praised the organization’s coaches and facilities, but explained that not everyone would be a perfect fit.

So he didn’t hold Mikko Rantanen choosing to depart for Dallas against the ice hockey star. Meanwhile, Andy Scott explained that Rantanen wanted to stay with Colorado in the first place. “Colorado had to make a decision, a business decision, and they moved on,” Scott said about the Aves in-season roster remake, adding names like Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle and more.

On the flip side, the Colorado Avalanche lamented that Mikko Rantanen, the player who helped them win a Stanley Cup, didn’t return after the Carolina Hurricanes traded him in the 11th hour of the trade deadline. Colorado defenseman Devon Toews explained how facing ‘Moose’ on the ice as an opponent wouldn’t be a “fun” thing to do.

Naturally, so many conflicting angles have left the fans confused and doubtful. “Sounds like a guy trying to ‘save face’….” another NHL fan commented after hearing Scott’s full segment. Unfortunately, there’s no clarity beyond the differing opinions. Discrepancies remain whether it’s coming from Brind’Amour, Rantanen, his agent or NHL Insiders. So, what are your views about the Mikko Rantanenet situation? Let us know in the comments.