As we creep up on the NHL trade deadline on March 7 more than a few star players are looking to the future for lucrative contract extensions or lest

A weekly gauge of the players who are controlling substantial buzz around the league. When a player is included on this list it may not be a good thing -- it means that they are capturing a large amount of the hockey world's attention.

Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen has been one of the top-scoring players in the NHL over the past several seasons. His contract is set to expire this summer, making him arguably the top pending UFA in the league. Colorado has been trying to re-sign him but to this point, obviously no deal has been reached yet.

Rantanen notched an assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Oilers.

Mikko Rantanan and Logan O’Connor also each had a goal and an assist ... MacKinnon fed a pass into the slot on a 2-on-2 rush. Rantanen converted on a wrist shot past a screened Gustavsson ...

The Colorado Avalanche haven’t made much progress in contract negotiations with star goal scorer Mikko Rantanen, and there might still be a ton of work to be done. While the Avalanche don’t ...

The Colorado Avalanche and Mikko Rantanen are at an impasse in contract negotiations, as the star winger’s demands diverge substantially from the team’s maximum offer. Rantanen, playing in the ...

The longer it goes, the more doubts there are about Mikko Rantanen’s future in Colorado. And the reason is simple: the Avalanche may not have the necessary resources to pay him what he’s worth, as the forward is currently in the last year of his contract.

WINNIPEG – Kyle Connor scored the sixth hat trick of his ... much-deserved attention on Saturday after containing MacKinnon, Rantanen and Drouin in the 3-0 win over Colorado.

Mikko Rantanen is enjoying a standout season, but it appears that the Colorado Avalanche and the star winger are not close to reaching a new contract agreement. Rantanen is currently in the final ...

The Jets are an excellent team worthy of an all-in approach. Who should be their ideal targets at the trade deadline?

Has Penguins GM Kyle Dubas deserved the criticism for the team's state? Should the Devils trade Simon Nemec? Would you rather MacKinnon or Draisaitl in the playoffs? And more.