The Carolina Hurricanes are making headlines on a Friday night as they acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche and Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks.
BREAKING: Sources tell @DailyFaceoff that #GoAvsGo are in the process of trading Mikko Rantanen to #Canes.
Sounds like this is a complex three-way deal and I believe Taylor Hall is also involved in the deal going to Carolina from Chicago.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 25, 2025
The Hurricanes will send Martin Necas and Jack Drury, a 2025 2nd round pick and a 2026 4th round pick to Colorado as part of the deal. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks will get a third-round pick to retain 50 percent of Rantanen’s salary, which is about $4.6 million. The Hurricanes also receive the rights to Nils Juntorp, a 2022 6th round pick by the Blackhawks.
The Colorado Avalanche continue to reshape their team. First GM Chris MacFarland revamped his goaltending, moving out Alexandar Georgiev to the San Jose Sharks for Mackenzie Blackwood. That was right after moving Justus Annunen to Nashville for Scott Wedgewood. Now, the Avalanche have reshaped their entire top six offensive units.
Rantanen was an unrestricted free agent and was eligible to sign an extension on July 1st. It was a complicated extension. More complicated than the Avalanche thought. The Leon Draisaitl extension really threw a monkey wrench in the Rantanen negotiations. Rantanen was looking for $14 million, while the Avalanche wanted to pay him less than Nathan MacKinnon, who was at $12.6 million.
There were some rumblings that he could be traded, but most expected the Avalanche to figure out how to get things done or at least wait until the end of the season to get a new deal. But that was not the case. The Hurricanes will get the dynamic superstar they have been looking for. Rantanen can do it all by setting up his teammates, being a big body that can move the puck, and, most importantly, finishing.
Mikko Rantanen, acquired by CAR, is a top line winger whose size, finishing touch, and passing ability make him one of the toughest players to defend in the league. Can score from anywhere, great net-front presence, elite puck protector. #LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/M8ZM9qaoEi
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 25, 2025
This is the second year in a row that the Hurricanes have acquired an unrestricted free agent. Jake Guentzel was acquired before the deadline last year from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
We know the Carolina Hurricanes were active in the trade market. Carolina was in discussion with the Vancouver Canucks about J.T. Miller but was also talking to Colorado about Rantanen.
Believe it is fair to say this: the Hurricanes had a decision to make — what was available from Vancouver and going for Rantanen.
They struck for Rantanen
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 25, 2025
Canucks and Carolina were talking all day. Everything was available for Carolina. Decided to go with Rantanen. https://t.co/qCymzNdCzT
— Irfaan Gaffar (@irfgaffar) January 25, 2025
Remember Carolina and Vancouver talked about Necas for Pettersson last year. Colorado added Drury and Necas to replace the production of Rantanen, whom they just could not sign.
Martin Necas, acquired by COL, is a skilled offensive forward. One of the fastest skaters in the league, a superb puck carrier in transition, and a great passer as well. Has not been quite as effective defensively, and does not play a particularly physical game. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/t9TQPnn0oX
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 25, 2025
Jack Drury, acquired by COL, is a low-event fourth line centre. A committed and high-energy defensive player but not exactly the best finishing touch out there. pic.twitter.com/wQ4tRuDHyZ
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 25, 2025
This is a huge blockbuster trade, and now the Colorado Avalanche may not be done as they have cap space to add.
Night Cap Recap
Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall heading into the Carolina Hurricanes #goavsgo #raiseup #blackhawks pic.twitter.com/vQxrdTpatz
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) January 25, 2025
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