The NHL trade window closed last Friday. The chaotic final moments of the trade window saw some teams taking big leaps, like the Bruins trading Brad Marchand. However, it seems that the drama surrounding Mikko Rantanen’s 11th-hour transfer to the Dallas Stars refuses to die down. Days after the deal, Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour’s explosive statement has reignited the debate.

Appearing on the Adam Gold Show, Brind’Amour had this to say: “When [Rantanen] showed up, he said, ‘There’s four teams I’ll go play for, and you’re not one of them.’ And the question is, should we have known that before we signed him?,” explained the Carolina Hurricanes coach. However, the Finnish star wasn’t going to let this slide without a response.

Mikko Rantanen laid down his response during his first official press conference as a Dallas Stars player. “I saw some things that said I had a list of teams ready when I went to Carolina, but that’s false,” Rantanen said as per CBS news. The 28-year-old wanted to especially address the claim that he had sidelined four teams and had one foot out the door from the get-go.

Rantanen sang a different song altogether while admitting that leaving the Aves after nearly a decade was a shock to his system. “Obviously, it was a big shock to leave Colorado, but I went to Carolina with an open mind and tried my best on the ice,” clarified the NHL forward. Beat reporter Robert Tiffin backed up this claim with his post referring to the conference in Dallas.

“Mikko Rantanen emphasized multiple times today that he was not opposed to signing with Carolina,” the reporter wrote on X. The former Colorado Avalanche player’s agent also said something similar, giving “credit” to the forward for staying open-minded about staying with Carolina. Yet, the Stanley Cup winner ultimately chose to reportedly decline a higher $13.5 million offer from the Canes to join Dallas for 96$ million ($12 million annually), an eight-year contract.

Mikko Rantanen elaborated on why he chose Dallas

The Finnish ice hockey star denied short listing teams and not being invested in playing with the Canes. Rantanen had a simple answer to shut the rumor mills and for those wondering why he settled for less with the Dallas Stars. The prolific point scorer explained that the Dallas Stars just seemed like a better fit. “Dallas plays a lot with the puck,” explained Rantanen.

Besides their style of play, he also cited the team having good players. The Stars also have a bunch of Finnish talent including Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, and Mikael Granlund. Mikko Rantanen is the latest addition to Dallas’ Finnish firepower. Besides, even coach Rod Brind’Amour and Canes GM Eric Tulsky agreed that the forward struggled to fit in.

“I think we have a great coach, I think we have a great locker room, but it doesn’t fit for everyone,” said Tulsky. So naturally, Rantanen is happy to find a team where he feels he’d be better suited to. In fact, the Finnish NHL player expressed relief to finally put the hectic trade deadline behind him. As someone who doesn’t revel in drama, Rantanen didn’t seem to take well to the stress.

“I’m happy that it’s over. It’s easier mentally now…” said Mikko Rantanen. The 28-year-old expressed relief, saying that he “probably” won’t have to go through the same stress for the next eight years. Yet, predicting what will happen in the next eight years may be a step too far for anyone. For now, we’ll have to wait and see just how well Rantanen fits in with Dallas.