The Dallas Stars made headlines with the acquisition of Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes, trading away Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks. Rantanen, a 6'4" right winger, previously spent nine seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, where he clinched a Stanley Cup title. Following a brief stint in Carolina, concerns about his potential free agency prompted this major move by the Stars.

Rantanen, a top-10 scorer in the NHL, is currently tied for 10th in points this season with 70. His new eight-year contract with the Stars is valued at $12 million annually, marking a significant financial commitment. He emphasized the fit with Dallas as a key reason for his choice, even while revealing his current salary of $9.25 million was bolstered by Carolina retaining half for the remainder of the season.