The Hurricanes traded for Rantanen, 28, in a three-team blockbuster deal involving the Colorado Avalanche and the Chicago Blackhawks. The forward, however, has struggled to adjust in Carolina, managing just five points in nine games.

The Mikko Rantanen experiment hasn't worked with the Carolina Hurricanes, and he could be on the move again before the trade deadline.

It seems Carolina’s only focus right now is keeping Rantanen, whether as an extended player or worst case as a rental.