The NHL world was rocked Friday night when the Colorado Avalanche traded away star forward Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in a shocking three-team deal.
The Avs got Martin Necas and Jack Drury in return, but the emotional impact was clear when the team hit the ice Saturday, falling 3-1 to the Boston Bruins.
"I never thought in a million years he would leave," said Nathan MacKinnon, clearly shaken by the departure of his longtime teammate. "It just sucks… losing a great friend, a great teammate. I’m going to miss him."
It’s the kind of trade you almost never see – a superstar switching teams mid-season while both clubs are fighting for the Stanley Cup.
Rantanen isn’t just any player. He’s currently sixth in NHL scoring and has been one of the league’s top five point-getters over the past five seasons. At 27, he’s right in the prime of his career.
He was also a key piece of Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship team.
So why make such a dramatic move? It comes down to money and planning for the future. Rantanen’s contract is up after this season, and the Avalanche weren’t sure they could afford what he’ll likely command on the open market.
The players they got back aren’t exactly slouches. Necas is having a breakout year and could hit 90 points this season. Plus, both he and Drury come with smaller paychecks and longer-term team control.
The Avs also picked up some draft picks they could use as trade bait down the road.
But the big question is how this affects team chemistry right now. Rantanen wasn’t just a star on the ice – he was a leader in the locker room and really close with the team’s core players.
That’s tough to replace in the middle of a playoff race.
