Kings halted Rantanen pursuit due to player disinterest

The Los Angeles Kings initially pursued Mikko Rantanen but stopped after learning he was not interested in joining the team. Rantanen was traded to the Dallas Stars, where he signed an extension. Factors influencing Rantanen's decision included California's high state taxes and the Kings' lack of playoff success. He preferred teams that offered better championship prospects. The Kings also declined to trade Quinton Byfield for Rantanen, indicating their commitment to Byfield and challenges in improving their roster.