Blockbuster Trade Almost Happened as Oilers Were Finalists at Deadline to Acquire NHL Superstar

Mikko Rantanen included the Edmonton Oilers on his favorite teams to trade to prior to the deadline.

Fourth Period's David Pagnotta says that Rantanen informed the Carolina Hurricanes that Edmonton was one of four teams he was considering joining.

The other teams in his sights were the Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. Pagnotta also indicated that Rantanen would have signed an extension with the Oilers, though it's unclear what Edmonton would have offered to him.

The Maple Leafs were reportedly set to offer Rantanen an eight-year extension worth a $13 million AAV, rumor had it.

Carolina wasn't going to trade him to a team in the Eastern Conference, at least not based on what reports said, which would have basically eliminated the Leafs and Panthers from contention.

That left Edmonton and Dallas. Dallas ultimately landed him with two first-round picks and promising forward Logan Stankoven. They also threw in a couple of third-rounders for good measure. This may have been simply too much for the Oilers.

Whatever Edmonton offered isn't publicly known, but Pagnotta surmised the Oilers simply didn't possess the right assets to make the trade work. That would indicate that Carolina wasn't overly fond of Edmonton's prospect inventory or draft selections.

The thought of an elite winger like Rantanen lining up with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl is intriguing. If they had gotten him, the Oilers would have been prohibitive favorites to win the Stanley Cup this year.