After a drawn-out process, it's a done deal in Dallas.
The Stars did what the Hurricanes couldn't do, agreeing to an eight-year, $96 million extension with superstar forward Mikko Rantanen after acquiring him in a blockbuster deal from Carolina, the team announced on Friday.
Rantanen was originally sent to the Hurricanes from the Colorado Avalanche in a shocking move back in January. However, the two sides were unable to agree to an extension, pushing the Hurricanes to sell the forward ahead of Friday's trade deadline instead of potentially losing him for nothing in free agency after the season.
Carolina had been hoping to re-sign Rantanen as the only team able to offer him an eight-year contract, but he'll now instead pen that deal in Texas.
Rantanen, 28, has 70 points (27 goals, 43 assists) in 62 contests this season and represented Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off, finishing with one goal.
However, his production slowed since joining the Hurricanes, putting up only two goals and four assists in 13 outings with the club.
The Stars are currently second in the Central Division with a 41-19-2 record, behind only the league-leading Winnipeg Jets.
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