The Colorado Avalanche have made a major deal involving two other teams. The Carolina Hurricanes and the Chicago Blackhawks are also involved and the trade reportedly involves Mikko Rantanen, Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and Taylor Hall. We know Hall is headed to Carolina. Rantanen appears to linking up with fellow countryman Sebastian Aho. Finally, in an attempt to replace Rantanen’s scoring prowess, the Avs have added Martin Necas and Jack Drury. The trade also sees the Hawks receive a third-round pick, it looks to be return for Hall. The Hawks are retaining 50% of the cap hit on Rantanen’s remaining contract.
Avalanche Trade Former First-Round Pick
Rantanen has spent all nine seasons of his NHL career with Colorado, until now. The Avalanche drafted him in the first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Rantanen played in nine games in the ensuing 2015-16 season, recording no points. Despite the uneventful cup of coffee in the NHL, Rantanen’s draft report suggested great things were in store.
The Canes Get their Man
The following season, Rantanen scored 20 goals in 75 games. He followed that with a 31-goal season in 2018-19. Furthermore, Rantanen’s rise in the NHL coincided with the Avalanche’s rise to a Stanley Cup Contender. In 2018-19, the Avalanche reached the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Two years later, when Rantanen scored 30 goals, the Avalanche won the President’s Trophy and swept their first-round series.
Emerging As a Star and the Stanley Cup
From 2022-2024, Rantanen consistently scored 36+ goals, hitting a career-high of 55 in 2023. Furthermore, Rantanen helped lead the Avalanche to the 2022 Stanley Cup. Rantanen’s 55-goal season made him the third Finnish-born NHL player to score 50+ goals in a season, joining Jari Kurri and Teemu Selanne. Maybe he is exactly the type of player that can help head coach Rod Brind’Amour get his club over that proverbial hump. Of course, all teams still need to respect Connor McDavid and his Edmonton Oilers.
What this Trade Means for All Parties
Rantanen is only in his late twenties still has many years ahead. If Rantanen continues to score like has has in first nine seasons, he will easily hit the 500-goal mark. At the point, the discussion for Rantanen’s post-playing career will have to include the Hockey Hall of Fame.
This is a great move for the Avalanche. Rantanen will be hitting the prime of his career at the beginning of a potential new contract and demanding a price tag that they were unable to match. The timing of this trade aligns very well. Furthermore, with Gabriel Landeskog’s future unknown, it is good that the Avalanche have yet another star that could potentially be locked up long term. The next step for the Avalanche will likely be looking to extend star defenceman, Cale Makar. Makar still has three seasons left on his current contract, but it can be safely assumed the Avalanche will want to keep him in Colorado.
The Core is Locked Up
Between Makar and Nathan MacKinnon, the Avalanche have a core lined up that can continue to contend. Now they add a young player like Necas. Moreover, Necas is the type of player that can easily put up 200 shots and his career high is 28 goals from 2022-23. Also, Drury is a nice player, with nine points through 39 games this season. If Landeskog is able to return, the team will even be more dangerous. A lot has happened since the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022. It can be easy to forget just how good that team was. They lost only four games the entire playoffs.
Full Seasons Showcased Skill
It seems like Carolina will be more than happy to get a former MVP in Taylor Hall. Hall is a very consistent offensive player. He can generate offence and help elevate his linemates’ game. Hall has nine goals and 15 assists thus far in 2024-25 with Chicago. Furthermore, he is a great leader and will help his new club’s depth.
Main Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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