If Rantanen signs for eight years at $100 million, he’d be at $12.5 million. Which both, gets him a higher total contract value, and keeps him below MacKinnon’s cap hit.

It's clear Carolina is serious about finally breaking that trend by adding Rantanen and Hall. The 28-year-old Rantanen has been stellar this season with 25 goals and 39 assists in 49 games.

Chicago retains 50 percent of Rantanen’s salary James Mirtle: This trade was not one for one, and Taylor Hall was certainly not the biggest name involved. The Avalanche give up the best player ...