The Oilers need to sign both Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard to long-term deals this summer, but could they also fit in Mikko Rantanen?

Chris MacFarland pointed to Rantanen’s pending free agency and the club’s desire to get deeper after three years of being short in that department as reasons for the trade. The NHL’s salary cap ceiling, which is set at $88 million this year but is expected to rise — possibly significantly — in the next couple of seasons is also a factor.

The Edmonton Oilers are a team that has arguably the best offensive weapons in the entire NHL, and they could soon get a whole lot more dangerous. The

Mikko Rantanen has only been a Carolina Hurricane for a few days. Yet, that hasn't stopped analysts in the hockey world from speculating about his future.

On McDavid, Bettman said Thursday, "I understand the frustration, and it's something we're going to continue to monitor."

The Colorado Avalanche trading star Mikko Rantanen signifies a change in their team-building approach from front-loading their squad to improving their depth.

Here are our Mikko Rantanen trade grades for the Blackhawks, Avalanche, and Hurricanes after Friday's stunning deal.

A new inside report has connected the Edmonton Oilers to signing Mikko Rantanen in free agency this season, and they may actually have the cap flexibility to make the deal without losing significant roster players.

Rantanen has 64 points in 50 games. If the Oilers were to add a player of his caliber, it would certainly bring stability to the revolving door that has been the Oilers' top-six forward group. Additionally, Rantanen won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche. And you can never have too many winners on your team.

Your look at trends in fantasy hockey with goalie, power-play and droppable notes, with a focus on shots generated by top lines.

The Carolina Hurricanes' blockbuster trade to acquire Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche on Friday is still resonating and was one of the topics on this week's episode of the " NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers " podcast presented by iHeartPodcasts.