Mikko Rantanen needed one thing after being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes: his number.
Before Rantanen was traded in a big three-team deal last week involving the Chicago Blackhawks, Jack Roslovic had the No. 96 with Carolina. Rantanen worked out a deal with Roslovic to get the number. In Thursday night’s 3-2 win over the Blackhawks, Roslovic assisted on Rantanen’s first goal with the Hurricanes.
“That was a great play by Ros, the drop pass,” Rantanen said. “I was able to help the team, which was good.”
Rantanen added that all he had to do was ask Roslovic for the number.
“He’s a nice guy,” he said. “I told him I’d buy him a nice watch.”
Carolina also acquired Taylor Hall from Chicago in the trade, but Hall missed the Blackhawks game due to illness.
Carolina hopes that Rantanen’s goal in his home debut is just the beginning for him with the team.
The 28-year-old forward had a successful nine-plus seasons with Colorado, where he had career-best 105 points in 2022-23 and 104 last year. He’s on track to reach 100 points again this season.
The Hurricanes haven’t had a player reach 100 points in a season since Eric Staal did so in 2005-06, the year Carolina won the Stanley Cup.
“He knows he wants to come in here and help contribute right away,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “You’ve got to be on the scoresheet. That’s where everyone is looking. Now he has. Nice to see him get (the first one). Now he doesn’t have to worry about it.”
Rantanen played in his third game with the Hurricanes on Thursday. He had an assist in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over the New York Rangers for his first point with Carolina.
Rantanen helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, but he is eligible for free agency after this season.
The move to Carolina puts Rantanen on another strong team with some fellow Finnish players, including center Sebastian Aho, which has made adjusting easier for him.
“The guys have been great,” Rantanen said. “They’re a resilient group and they work really hard. You can tell they’ve had success in the last couple of years and they play really well together. I’m glad to be part of it.”
