The NHL trade deadline has officially come and gone as of 2PM Texas time. The Dallas Stars made the biggest move of the day and Las Vegas is paying attention.

Talking about trades in Dallas right now is a sore subject after the Dallas Mavericks traded away Luka Doncic. Well good news, the other team in the American Airlines Center has a GM with brain. Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill made a trade this afternoon for Carolina Hurricanes forward Mikko Rantanen.

Rantanen was actually just traded to Carolina in January in the hopes that he would sign a new contract. That contract never panned out in Carolina over the past three months and the team decided to see what they could get for Rantanen. The Dallas Stars have sent right winger Logan Stankoven, 2026 1st Round Pick, 2027 1st Round Pick, plus smaller pieces that have yet to be announced.

Las Vegas Odds on Stanley Cup Champions

• Stars +600
• Oilers +700
• Panthers +700
• Hurricanes +900
• Capitals +900
• Golden Knights +1000
• Jets +1000
• Avalanche +1000

After the trade was announced, Las Vegas bookmakers made Dallas the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this season. Mikko Rantanen won't be a short term rental for the Stars. He's set to sign an eight year contract at $12 million a year. Whatever contract Carolina was offering him would not match up with Dallas' offer or maybe Rantanen took a slight pay cut to play in Dallas on a Stanley Cup favorite team. Rumors are he was asking at least $13-14 million a year.

Dallas Stars Wyatt Johnston Staying with Team

If that wasn't enough for NHL trade deadline day, the Dallas Stars also signed an extension for one of their young talents. 21-year-old forward Wyatt Johnston has signed a five year contract extension at $42 million. Many were worried he could have been a part of trade today, but he will be staying right here in Dallas.

If you were recently betrayed by the Dallas Mavericks moves, feel free to hop on the Dallas Stars bandwagon. The playoffs are just over a month away and you can watch the majority of the team's games for free on Victory Plus.