Report: Avs targeting long-term deal for Rantanen at $8.4M-$8.75M AAV

The Colorado Avalanche are apparently looking to strike a six- or eight-year deal with restricted free-agent forward Mikko Rantanen at an average annual value ranging from $8.4 million to $8.75 million, according to The Athletic's Ryan Clark.

The club's goal is to sign Rantanen to a long-term deal because of what's on the horizon, a source told Clark.

Colorado has six restricted free agents in need of a new deal for next season, and will also have to pay highly-touted defenseman Cale Makar and captain Gabriel Landeskog prior to the 2021-22 campaign.

Rantanen's agent, Mike Liut, said Wednesday that he is "not close" in negotiations on a new deal for his client.

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported Thursday that the Avalanche are unwilling to give Rantanen the same amount of money that fellow restricted free-agent forward Mitch Marner fetched on his new deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner signed a six-year, $65.63-million deal with an average annual value of $10.89 million.

The 22-year-old Finn is coming off a career year in 2018-19 in which he set career highs with 31 goals and 87 points in 74 contests.

The Avalanche hold $15.6 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly.