The NHL trade deadline is just under one week away, set for noon PST on Friday, March 7. The biggest story heading into this pivotal week of the season is the circumstances surrounding Mikko Rantanen and the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Carolina Hurricanes may be in a playoff position and could make a good run in the series, but the team could still be a seller at the trade deadline.

Mikko Rantanen had a multi-point night on Thursday, showing signs of life after joining the Carolina Hurricanes. However, his long-term future with the team remains uncertain.

Rantanen, who has back-to-back 100-point seasons and also played at that pace the two seasons prior, had just two points in six games with Carolina before the 4 Nations break, missing the last game due to injury. He had one assist on Saturday vs. Toronto.

The Carolina Hurricanes had hoped to sign Mikko Rantanen to a contract extension before the March 7 NHL trade deadline. According to insider Elliotte Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada, that will not happen.