The Carolina Hurricanes made headlines on Friday night as they acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche and Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Breaking News: Sources reveal @DailyFaceoff That #GoAvsGo Mikko Rantanen is being traded to #Canes.
It sounds like this is a complicated three-way trade, and I believe Taylor Hall was also involved in the move from Chicago to Carolina.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 25, 2025
As part of the deal, the Hurricanes will send Martin Necas and Jake Drury, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick to Colorado. At the same time, the Chicago Blackhawks will receive a third-round draft pick and retain 50% of Rantanen's salary, approximately $4.6 million. The Hurricanes also acquired the rights to Nils Juntorp, the Blackhawks' 2022 sixth-round pick.
The Colorado Avalanche continue to reinvent their team. First-time general manager Chris McFarland improved his goaltending, moving Alexander Georgiev to the San Jose Sharks for Mackenzie Blackwood. That's right after Justus Annunen moved to Nashville for Scott Wedgewood. Now, the Avalanche have reshaped their entire top-six offensive unit.
Rantanen is an unrestricted free agent and is eligible to sign an extension on July 1. This is a complex extension. It's more complicated than Xue Bang imagined. Leon Draisaitl's contract extension does cause trouble for Rantanen's negotiations. Rantanen's offer was $14 million, and the Avalanche wanted to pay him less than Nathan MacKinnon's $12.6 million.
There have been some rumors that he could be traded, but most expect the Avalanche to find a solution or at least wait until after the season to get a new deal. But that's not the case. The Hurricanes will get the dynamic superstar they've been looking for. Rantanen can do it all by providing help to his teammates, being a big guy who can move the puck, and most importantly, shoot the ball.
Mikko Rantanen, acquired by CAR, is a top winger whose size, finishing ability and passing ability make him one of the most difficult players to defend in the league. Can score from anywhere, great net forward performance, elite puck protector. #LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/M8ZM9qaoEi
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 25, 2025
This is the second consecutive year the Hurricanes have acquired unrestricted free agents. Jake Guentzel was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins at last year's deadline.
We know the Carolina Hurricanes are active on the trade market. Carolina is discussing JT Miller with the Vancouver Canucks and Rantanen with Colorado.
Believe it's fair to say this: The Hurricanes have to make a decision – what to get out of Vancouver and go to Rantanen.
They fight for Rantanen
— Elliot Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 25, 2025
The Canucks and Carolina talked all day. Anything is possible in Carolina. Decided to go with Rantanen.
— Irfaan Gaffar (@irfgaffar) January 25, 2025
Remember when Carolina and Vancouver talked about Necas for Pettersson last year? Colorado brought in Drury and Necas to replace Rantanen, who they couldn't sign.
Martin Necas, acquired by COL, is a skilled offensive lineman. One of the fastest skaters in the league, a great puck carrier in transition, and a great passer. The defense was not very effective, and he did not play a particularly strong physical game. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/t9TQPnn0oX
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 25, 2025
Jack Drury, acquired by COL, is a lower-level fourth-line center. A committed and dynamic defender, but not the best finisher. pic.twitter.com/wQ4tRuDHyZ
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 25, 2025
This is a huge blockbuster deal, but one that the Colorado Avalanche may not be able to complete now that they still have cap space to add.
nightcap review
Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall head to Carolina Hurricanes #goavsgo #raiseup #blackhawk pic.twitter.com/vQxrdTpatz
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) January 25, 2025
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