Rantanen aiming to extend with Avs: 'Why would I want to leave?'

Superstar winger Mikko Rantanen isn't in a rush to sign a contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche, but his patient approach doesn't appear to be a ploy to eventually leave Denver.

"I kind of want to let it handle itself," Rantanen told The Denver Post's Corey Masisak. "I like the team. I like the city. We won the Stanley Cup here. Why would I want to leave? That's the only thing I want to say about it. But we'll see. It's done when it's done."

Rantanen is entering the final season of the six-year, $55.5-million contract he signed in 2019. His $9.25-million cap hit is one of the NHL's highest among forwards, but he's likely to earn a significant raise after logging 408 points in 331 games over the course of his current deal.

Some NHL stars' new extensions could serve as a barometer for what Rantanen may earn on his next pact. Among them are teammate Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6 million), Elias Pettersson ($11.6 million), William Nylander ($11.5 million), and David Pastrnak ($11.25 million).

Edmonton Oilers dynamo Leon Draisaitl recently signed the league's richest contract at $14 million per season, a by-product of the NHL's increasing salary cap following a period of minimal growth due to the pandemic.

"I guess that's where the league is going, I would say," Rantanen said of Draisaitl. "I am happy for him. I don't know him that well. I met him a couple of times, but it is well-deserved for sure. He's an unreal player."

The Avalanche have $70.6 million committed to 14 players for the 2025-26 campaign, according to PuckPedia. It's unconfirmed what next season's salary cap will be, but a rise from this year's $88-million limit is expected.

Colorado selected Rantanen 10th overall in 2015, and he's accumulated 617 points in 570 games with the team. He was a vital piece of the club's 2022 championship.