The Colorado Avalanche made a major trade sending Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes, in exchange for Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and draft picks. Rantanen, a key player in the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup win in 2022, has been a top scorer for the team. Necas, a breakout player for the Hurricanes, is seen as the key piece in the return for Colorado. The Avalanche also received draft picks in the three-team deal, which saw Taylor Hall moving from the Blackhawks to the Hurricanes.
Rantanen, who is in the final year of his contract, is seeking a significant raise, potentially similar to Leon Draisaitl’s deal. The trade gives the Avalanche more salary cap flexibility for this season and beyond. Colorado also added depth with Drury, a young center with a family connection to the NHL.
Rantanen leaves behind a strong legacy with the Avalanche, having been part of the core group that led the team to success in recent years. This trade will have long-term implications for both teams, depending on Rantanen’s next contract and how the Avalanche utilize the additional salary cap space.
In the short term, the Avalanche have acquired a talented player in Necas but have also taken a risk by parting ways with an established goal scorer like Rantanen. The full impact of this trade will be determined in the years to come, as both teams move forward with their new acquisitions.
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