Tensions reportedly rising between the Colorado Avalanche and star Mikko Rantanen
Photo credit: The Denver Post
The Colorado Avalanche are off to a rough start this season & now it seems their locker room is on the verge of falling apart.
Through the first four games, the Avalanche have been the worst team in the NHL. Despite having Stanley Cup aspirations they haven't even looked like a playoff contender so far. One of the biggest issues has been goaltender Alexandar Georgiev who has allowed over five goals per game with just a .803 save percentage. To make matters worse the team is also dealing with injuries to three key players leading to a disastrous start.
Now, the Avalanche face another problem-ongoing contract negotiations with star forward Mikko Rantanen aren't going well. According to Nick Kypreos, tensions are rising as both sides are far from reaching an agreement.
«Star winger Mikko Rantanen and the Avalanche don't appear to be close to an extension. The feeling out there is the Avs are reluctant to get his average salary anywhere near Nathan MacKinnon's $12.6 million (U.S.) at this point in time. They are also hoping to have a clearer picture on captain Gabriel Landeskog's health and future before deciding how high they need to go to retain Rantanen.»
As it stands, Rantanen is seeking a contract that matches MacKinnon's average annual value (AAV), but the Avalanche are reluctant to offer that kind of money. This could cause tension in the locker room. With Rantanen eligible for an extension at the end of the season and the team struggling, a trade could become a real possibility before the deadline. If things don't improve, the situation in Denver might get much worse.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 18 | 60 ANSWERS Tensions reportedly rising between the Colorado Avalanche and star Mikko Rantanen Do you think Colorado Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen will walk as a UFA next summer? | ||
| Yes | 37 | 61.7 % |
| No | 23 | 38.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
