NHL rumors: Hurricanes chose Logan Stankoven over Jason Robertson in Mikko Rantanen trade with Stars

For the first time since 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup, completing a six-game series victory over the Vegas Golden Knights last week for their first title in two decades.

And it was thanks in large part to the contributions during their postseason run by forward Logan Stankoven, who was acquired at last season’s NHL Trade Deadline in the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen deal. Rantanen, who was acquired weeks earlier from the Colorado Avalanche, wouldn’t commit to signing a long-term extension in Carolina and was later flipped to the Dallas Stars in return for Stankoven, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 first-round pick.

But according to a new report from NHL Insider Chris Johnston, the Hurricanes could have received Stars forward Jason Robertson for Rantanen, but instead chose to prioritize Stankoven since they felt he’d fit their playing system more effectively.

“Once it was clear he wasn’t gonna sign an extension before the (trade) deadline, they went out and made a second move,” Johnston said via NHL Trade Rumors. “When they were talking to Dallas at the deadline (about flipping Rantanen to them), the Carolina Hurricanes could have had Jason Robertson in that trade, I believe. And they actually prioritized and chose Stankoven over Robertson, I think because they felt that he would fit in better with their system.”

So far, the move has paid off in spades for the Hurricanes, who not only locked up Stankoven to an eight-year, $48 million extension but are the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Meanwhile, Rantanen and the Stars were eliminated in the opening round of the 2026 playoffs by the Minnesota Wild.

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