Here is the reason for Mikko Rantanen's controversial transfer? This incident in practice was too much for Carolina.

Mikko Rantanen‘s brief time with the Carolina Hurricanes last season has revealed new details after captain Jordan Staal commented on the Finnish star’s visit on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast.

With this, we are re-releasing the revelation from Elliotte Friedman, one of the NHL’s most respected insider reporters, from last summer.

At that time, Friedman mentioned on his 32 Thoughts podcast that there were concerns about the Finnish player’s fit within the team’s playing style during his first practices.

– I have a good story for you about Rantanen. Early in his Carolina career, during some practices, he did something so skillful and clever that it simply didn’t fit the way the team wanted to play.

– According to one source, they realized then that this would be challenging, Friedman says.

According to Friedman, the problem was not related to Rantanen’s skill level, but rather that his playing style did not align with the demanding style of play of the Hurricanes.

– Rantanen has his own way of playing, and it may not have suited their style. When they ultimately decided to trade him to Dallas, one reason they wanted Logan Stankoven in return was that he was seen as a better fit for their playing style, Friedman claims.

Friedman states that the Hurricanes’ identity is so strongly shaped by head coach Rod Brind’Amour that it is not easy for superstar players who rely on individual skills to adapt to it.

– This season, with the Rantanen experiment, was yet another reminder that if you intend to let Brind’Amour continue as head coach and the team plays the way he wants, you cannot bring in a star who does not fit that mold, Friedman assesses.

Rantanen moved to Carolina mid-season from the Colorado Avalanche but only managed to play 13 games for the team before he was traded to the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline.

The reinforcements the Hurricanes received from the Rantanen trade eventually played a significant role as the team marched to win the Stanley Cup at the end of last season.