For six weeks, the Carolina Hurricanes were the talk of the NHL.

But not all of it was for the better.

Ever since the blockbuster trade that brought Mikko Rantanen to Raleigh in January, the buzz was relentless with unrelenting waves of rumors, noise and drama.

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Without a signed extension, national media latched onto the uncertainty surrounding Rantanen’s future with the Canes and every day, it seemed like there was yet another thing being reported.

For six weeks, it was like a cloud around the organization and it became more and more clear that the Finnish superstar, despite all of his talent, was a distraction.

“At this time of year, just before the trade deadline, there’s a lot of rumors and unknown, but for us, it was longer than just the day or the week of the trade deadline,” said alternate captain Sebastian Aho. “It was an ongoing thing and the closer to the deadline, the more noise. Obviously you don’t read everything, but you’re well aware of what’s out there. You try to do your job the best you can and I think we did okay, but I think it’s just human nature that it affects you and the group.”

Rantanen stated himself in one of his first interviews in Dallas, that he had decided over a week before the trade that he didn’t see himself sticking around long-term with the Hurricanes, rejecting a nine-figure offer from the team, and it showed in the way he and the team played down the stretch.

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“I sensed it in the way we were playing,” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour following the trade deadline. “It just didn’t feel right.”

“Listen, it’s been a weird couple months with what’s transpired, but I think once the dust settles, we have a real good team here. I feel good about it and I think all the guys do too. It was a weird situation just to be in with the way it all unfolded, but it’s behind us now.”

Now with Rantanen moved out and a new face in Logan Stankoven brought in, the Canes can focus on the task at hand: a final playoff push, without any distractions.

“I felt like every time you want on Twitter or Instagram it was all you were seeing,” said alternate captain Jordan Martinook. “So it’ll be nice to not have that hanging over the team.

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“Rants didn’t see himself being here, so that was his choice. It’s not like were locked in to anything. I think both sides understood that. We got what we needed to get and he got what he wanted. So moving forward, I think we have everybody that wants to be here here and we’re going to do everything we can with the group we got.”

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