The Mikko Rantanen trade to the Carolina Hurricanes from the Colorado Avalanche was rather surprising to all the fans since it had a greater implication on changing up the lineups of the franchise. In 2015, when Rantanen was drafted, he immediately developed into a big piece for Colorado and one of the main contributors in Avalanche games. With Rantanen becoming such a highly skilled and dominant presence both on the ice and off, being paired with Nathan MacKinnon has worked in their favor toward having winning seasons and winning the Stanley Cup in 2022.

Rantanen to many wasn’t just a player but an embodiment of the Avalanche’s modern resurgence, and his departure, though part of professional sports business, is deeply personal to the fans who celebrated his growth and feats. As a trade deal settled in, it finally came into view: Colorado fans were not prepared to lose “Mooose” and the emotional connection they had with him.

The trade details and its impact

The Colorado Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to the Carolina Hurricanes on January 24, 2025, in a three-team blockbuster deal. The Avalanche received Martin Necas and Jack Drury from Carolina, as well as a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. While the Chicago Blackhawks retained 50% of Rantanen’s $9.25 million salary and also kicked in a 2025 third-round pick.

Rantanen, who was leading the Avalanche at the time with 25 goals and 64 points, was in a state of disbelief and really humbled by the ferocity of the fans. He reflected on his decade-long journey with Colorado and remembered the Stanley Cup victory as one of the highlight moments in his career. “It was a dream come true, and sharing that moment with all of you is something I will always remember,” Rantanen said, looking ahead to his new role with the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes add a dynamic scorer to the talented roster, clearly the intention of doing more in the playoffs, while the Avalanche get younger assets and some cap flexibility in the process of building one to be reckoned with in years to come. But fans are understandably upset.

 Fans hated the news – “this is the worst trade ever.”

Colorado fans have not taken the trade of Mikko Rantanen nicely, with an outpour of complaints across different social media handles. “Totally sucks,” one fan wrote. “Just don’t sign an extension and come back next season, please.” That again sets the bar on how deep the attachment was between Rantanen and these fans – the wish that after this trade, he comes back.

Another chimed in, “Dude, this sucks, and this shouldn’t have ever happened! As a die-hard fan, we will surely miss you! Thanks for the Stanley Cup! That wouldn’t have happened without you! Good luck, Moooooose!” The fact that Rantanen helped secure the Avalanche’s first Cup in over 20 years certainly has set in stone a place in the hearts of fans, and thus, this trade feels very much like an emotional betrayal.

Not everybody sees the bright part of this thing, though. Fans have risen to question just what the team’s future holds when Rantanen is not within it. “I’m sick with my stomach. We didn’t want it, too,” One fan confessed – reflecting the very shock many folks faced just from the swift nature of trade dealing. To many of these types, he was perceived as a central plank in the fruitful chemistry and achievements that this would now be different without him or very hard for at least one, if not few, to recreate.

The trade deadline is looming, and now more fans are left to wonder about the Avalanche’s future and what other moves might be in store. There’s a fear lingering that the team might lose its competitive edge with this sudden change.

Mikko Rantanen’s departure from the Colorado Avalanche marked the end of an era for the Avalanche and their fans. As good as the trade was for the Avalanche in terms of financial flexibility and new assets, it definitely took its toll on the fanbase. It’s still being digested- the loss of a player so key to their success and one of the faces of the franchise for almost a decade. As the team moves on with the new players brought in, the question still begs: Will they be able to regain their dominance sans “Mooose“? Only time will tell.

What is clear is that Rantanen’s impact on the Avalanche will be felt long after his NHL trade, and fans will continue to hope for his return in the future.