With the March 7 trade deadline less than two weeks away, Carolina has to decide whether to keep Rantanen for a Stanley Cup run risking losing him next summer if he doesn't extend his contract, or flip him for assets now to avoid that potential worst-case scenario as it happened to the franchise last summer.

After participating in the 4 Nations, Rantanen is facing questions about his future and adjusting to his new surroundings.

Mikko Rantanen played his seventh game in the Hurricanes uniform last night. He collected an assist in his club’s loss to the Leafs in Toronto. This now gives him a total of three points (only one goal) since his arrival in Carolina.