The 2024-25 NHL season has been an exhilarating experience for both players and fans, who eagerly anticipate action on the rink. Indeed, it’s now the mid-season of the current campaign, and there has been a certain surprise with a confusing three-way trade involving the likes of the Colorado Avalanche, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Chicago Blackhawks.
Indeed, these three teams have different positions in the NHL, but they are always looking forward to something new, and this trade was just massive. Even the community got confused, but what was the most surprising deal in this three-way trade? It was when the Avalanche traded their star forward to the Hurricanes, and a certain NHL reporter exposed the team’s questionable decision and a sad reality about the player who got involved in this.
No one expected to see Mikko Rantanen leave the Colorado Avalanche for the Carolina Hurricanes. However, it wasn’t his choice, as he was traded away for the Hurricanes’ forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury. While they might be a key addition to the Avalanche, they are giving away Rantanen, who is among the top 10 goal scorers of the current NHL season.
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Taking to X, reporter Andy Strickland gave his verdict on this trade, stating, “Mikko Rantanen was completely caught off guard by the trade and was very upset. Colorado showed very little to no interest in attempting to re-sign him over the last several months. This was a panic move by Colorado.” Indeed, he was also surprised by this trade and confirmed how even the player was unaware of the discussions going on in the background. Furthermore, he revealed how Rantanen wasn’t happy with how the Avalanche departed him from the franchise, despite him being one of their star players for the current season.
Mikko Rantanen was completely caught off guard by the trade and was very upset. Colorado showed very little to no interest in attempting to re-sign him over the last several months. This was a panic move by Colorado.
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) January 25, 2025
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So, how do the former Colorado Avalanche forward’s statistics look for this campaign? With the team, Rantanen played 49 games, and in those matches, he scored 25 goals and 39 assists with 64 points. Indeed, with these stats, he’s currently eighth in the top goal scorers of the current campaign. A fascinating feat, considering he has nearly a decade-long experience in the NHL. However, how did the trade go with the other teams?
A confusing trade between the Colorado Avalanche and the other two teams
There were many rumors associated with the Colorado Avalanche in the mid-season. Indeed, many top NHL insiders saw a glimmer of hope that the Pittsburgh Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby, might be joining the team with many cryptic hints. However, while that trade still remained a rumor, the Colorado Avalanche acquired Martin Necas and Jack Drury from the Carolina Hurricanes. But this wasn’t much of a highlight, because many were surprised to see them giving away their star forward Mikko Rantanen in the process.
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However, the Hurricanes also acquired Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks and Nils Juntorp, who is a prospect in the ice hockey scene. But what did the Blackhawks earn in this trade? As they gave up on Hall, they acquired a 2025 third-round pick and also took responsibility by retaining 50% of Rantanen’s salary, which is around $4.5 million.
This decision caused the Blackhawks’ fans to be nothing but surprised. However, this particular trade might be a big gamble for the team that is currently going through a rebuild in the NHL. Indeed, Rantanen won’t be a part of the Blackhawks anytime soon, so with this retention, they might be able to look forward to their own junior talents in other leagues and can peacefully spend their season without any hassle.
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Did the Avalanche make a colossal mistake trading Rantanen, or was it a necessary move?
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Did the Avalanche make a colossal mistake trading Rantanen, or was it a necessary move?
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