The three-way trade during the mid-season involving the Colorado Avalanche, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Chicago Blackhawks shocked the NHL world. Indeed, many were in disbelief, as, despite having Mikko Rantanen as one of their top scorers in the current season, the Avs traded him away to the Canes, even though the team is trying to get into the Stanley Cup playoffs spot.

However, this move has been criticized by many, and now this list was joined by a certain retired NHL player who jumped ship after not being pleased with Rantanen for signing a deal with the Avs. Despite many details remaining hidden during the mid-season trade, he expressed his opinion on Colorado’s poor decision to part with their star forward.

“I’m just so confused as to how this all shook out,” Paul Bissonnette opened up about the mid-season trade on his official X profile and continued, stating, “Can’t believe there’s not a world where they could have agreed on 8×12.5m.” So what is he talking about? Mikko Rantanen played 49 games with the Colorado Avalanche in the current season. But how did he fare against the competition?

Rantanen performed quite well, actually. In those 49 games, he scored 25 goals, had 39 assists, and earned 64 points. These statistics also made him one of the top scorers in the current NHL campaign, but still, the Avs let him go to the Canes in the trade, which confused many in the community, including Bissonnette himself. Days have passed, yet he still struggles to comprehend the Avs and Rantanen’s handling of this trade.

The star forward was given a six-year, $55.5 million contract back in September 2019 with an AAV of $9.25 million. However, the circumstances have changed a lot since that time, and Rantanen has matured into a star forward from a prodigy. Indeed, Rantanen must have anticipated a more lucrative contract, but the Avs have not disclosed any information. 

“100k below Nate Dogg and you win the game of life. No risk. No chaos in moving your life getting adjusted to everything new. Play with the best player in the world who you’ve been incredible with. Even at 12m why even risk it. Crazy stuff and poor communication to not keep the band together,” said Bissonnette, focusing on the contract negotiations. Indeed, he’s pointing all the fingers towards the Avs for making this decision.

Rantanen might have asked for a bigger contract, but negotiations could’ve still been made. The Avs are not in a favorable spot in the current season, and even if they might have a top-notch roster, losing a star forward like the Finnish ice hockey player will be impactful on the team in the ongoing campaign and even the future.

For now, as pointed out by the NHL veteran, Rantanen’s future is in the dark. Indeed, his contract is ending in the 2024-25 season, and there’s not much time in hand. Indeed, before the off-season, he will need a contract, and even if the rumors suggest that he might go to a better team than the Canes, they are just speculations. Rantanen’s parting from the Avs was confusing to him too, but he did bid a final farewell to the team where he once lifted the Stanley Cup in glory.

Mikko Rantanen’s final goodbye to the Avs

Upon the announcement of Mikko Rantanen’s trade from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes, many Avs’ fans experienced complete heartbreak. Indeed, they have seen him being grabbed in the draft and his journey from a prodigy to a star forward on the same team. However, as good things come to an end, Rantanen finally parted ways with the Avs in this surprising three-way trade.

After his first game with the Canes, he did reveal how surprised he was with the decision that the Avs took, but he appreciated the time he had spent with the team. Taking to Instagram, the 28-year-old went candid, stating, “To my Colorado Avalanche teammates, the incredible fans in Denver, and the entire organization, words cannot fully express how much these past 10 years have meant to me. From the moment I was drafted as a young player from my native Finland, this city embraced me and helped shape me both as an athlete and as a person. Winning the Stanley Cup here was a dream come true, and sharing that moment with all of you is something I will cherish forever.”

Rantanen continued by revealing how surprised he was with the trade, stating, “The trade to the Carolina Hurricanes came as a surprise to me, and it is still sinking in. That said, I am incredibly excited to join such a talented team, and I can’t wait to get to work and contribute to their success this season. I feel very grateful for my time in Denver and wish to thank everyone in the organization, especially my teammates, coaches, and our fans, for your unwavering support. I’ll carry the memories with me as I begin this new chapter of my career.”

Indeed, even he didn’t expect to part ways with the Avs. However, Rantanen hasn’t given up on his NHL career, as he’s looking forward to a great time with the Canes heading into the remaining matches in the season. Carolina is in second place in the Metropolitan Division dominated by the Washington Capitals. However, with 66 points, they are way ahead of falling off the Stanley Cup playoff spot. And if Rantanen actually manages to pull off the trophy with the Canes by being a new addition, he might secure his place in the NHL’s ice rink for many more years to come. Only time will tell.