Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Eric Tulsky addressed the unexpected trade of Mikko Rantanen to the Dallas Stars. Find out what he said and how the Hurricanes plan to move forward.

© Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images Mikko Rantanen #96 looks on during the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2025 in New York City.

Despite the surprising decision to trade Mikko Rantanen—one of the most coveted players ahead of the NHL’s 2025 trade deadline—to the Dallas Stars, the Carolina Hurricanes continue to demonstrate their strength and cohesion. With an impressive seven-game winning streak, the team has shown that its success does not depend on a single star but on a solid system and a collective mentality focused on victory.

The management of Rantanen’s trade, although initially surrounded by uncertainty, seems to have strengthened the team’s unity and reaffirmed its commitment to head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s style of play.

The Hurricanes’ winning streak began before the trade deadline, with crucial victories over the Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins. However, Rantanen’s situation, after being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche on January 24, raised questions about the team’s future.

Uncertainty over whether Rantanen would sign with the Hurricanes or be traded sparked widespread speculation and debate. Ultimately, the team decided to trade him to the Dallas Stars, where he signed an eight-year, $96 million contract.

(L-R) Tom Dundon, Eric Tulsky and Rod Brind’Amour during the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Hurricanes: A responsible and collective approach

Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky emphasized the team’s responsible and collective approach following the trade. “We are playing a very responsible game right now,” Tulsky told NHL.com. “We’re not giving up nearly as much as we were for some stretches, and that makes the job easier for everyone. The goalies are playing great. So, when you play a good 200-foot game and the goalies are playing well and pucks are going in, you string together seven wins.”

Tulsky also highlighted the importance of finding players who fit the Hurricanes’ system: “Part of what we look for with our scouting group is evaluating who has the abilities to play the way Rod wants players to play. There are a lot of players in this league who are very effective for the teams that they play for who wouldn’t be as good for us.”

Contributions from the whole Hurricanes team

Despite Rantanen’s departure, the Hurricanes have received contributions from across the lineup. Tulsky praised the team’s effort and consistency: “This team is playing hard every night right now, and the way we play, with the amount of pressure we apply, when everybody’s going hard, we’re a very tough team to beat. Right now, it looks like it’s supposed to be.”