With the clock ticking toward the deadline on March 7, first-year Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky made the most of the situation and dealt Rantanen to the Stars, who then signed him to an eight-year, $96 million extension.

Mikko Rantanen is showing exactly why Dallas was willing to pay such a hefty price to put him the roster. One of the players the Stars traded for Rantanen is also making a positive impact for his new team.

"Mikko Rantanen became the first player in nearly 40 years with a hat trick in consecutive playoff games and third in NHL history, following Jari Kurri (Game 5-6 of 1985 CF) and Doug Bentley (Game 4-5 of 1944 SF)," the NHL noted.