Colorado Avalanche

The Bittersweet Need by Avalanche to Trade Mikko Rantanen

Last night, the Colorado Avalanche traded Miko Rantanen. Although the move was necessary, it was bittersweet. What did the Avs win and lose?

by
Old Prof
January 25, 2025

Last night, the Colorado Avalanche were part of a huge trade by sending Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. Rantanen was a homegrown talent of the Avalanche and had established himself as a superstar player in the NHL. His journey began in the Mile High City, where he became part of a great Avalanche team that took home the Stanley Cup in 2022. Rantanen is now in a position to seek a substantial contract as a free agent, reflecting his status and performance level.

The Complex Colorado Trade Was a Tough Business Decision

The trade was complex because it involved three teams. The Chicago Blackhawks picked up a 2025 third-round pick because they retained 50% of Rantanen’s cap hit to make the trade happen for the Carolina Hurricanes, which was the landing place for Rantanen.

For Avalanche management, the decision was far from easy. Rantanen, a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), is one of the NHL’s top wingers and has been a cornerstone of Colorado’s success for years. However, his contract was expiring. That made it necessary for the Avalanche to make a salary-cap decision by moving their (former) star now rather than risking losing him for nothing to free agency.

General Manager Chris MacFarland commented: “It’s a tough business decision. Mikko earned the right to be a UFA, and you have to make these hard choices. We felt the timing and pieces made sense, even though it was difficult to let him go.”

What the Avalanche Lost By Moving Rantanen

Rantanen has been a dynamic offensive player for Colorado, forming one of the league’s most lethal duos alongside Nathan MacKinnon. The Finnish player was a 50-goal scorer two seasons ago. While the Avalanche knew his skill set could not be replaced, what choice did they have? Still, his departure will leave a massive hole in Colorado’s lineup.

In addition, Rantanen’s leadership and chemistry with the team made him a beloved figure in Colorado. MacFarland acknowledged this: “He’s a superstar on the ice and an incredible human being off it. This one hurts.”

What the Avalanche Gained in the Move

The Avalanche’s return added young, cost-controlled assets in the trade, with Martin Necas and Jack Drury being the key pieces. Necas is a top-12 scorer this season, bringing elite speed and offensive upside. He’s only 26 years old and fits the Avalanche’s need for a versatile top-six forward.

Drury is a gritty, competitive center who excels in faceoffs and penalty killing. He’s a Harvard graduate and likely to be an intelligent player. He’ll become a depth piece for the Avs. Colorado hopes he’ll add grit to their lineup and, perhaps, bring a bit of (as yet) untapped offense. The trade also brings the Avs a couple of draft choices and salary-cap flexibility.

New Chapter for Rantanen with Canes, But an Avs Loss

With the Hurricanes, Rantanen now has a chance to play beside fellow Finn Sebastian Aho. The Hurricanes could be the immediate winners of this trade. They added two potentially large offensive pieces. One is Rantanen. But Taylor Hall is no slouch either and was a former NHL MVP Award winner. The Hurricanes are all in this season, pushing for another Stanley Cup win. The North Carolina team will count on Rantanen’s skills and playoff experience to push them over the hump.

While losing a superstar like Rantanen is painful, the Avalanche are betting on the collective strength of their roster. MacFarland emphasized the importance of depth in the playoffs, stating:
“You have to be deep to survive four playoff rounds. We’re confident these additions will help us build a more balanced group.”

Colorado’s championship window remains open, but replacing Rantanen’s production will be a collective team effort. The trade also sets the stage for future moves, as Avalanche now has more flexibility to reshape its roster.

For the Avalanche, It Was Bittersweet but Necessary Move

The trade of Rantanen is a bittersweet moment for the Avalanche and their fans. While it marks the end of an era for a beloved player, it also reflects the difficult decisions required to sustain success in the modern (salary-cap) NHL.

Time will tell if this bold move pays off, but the Avalanche are focused on building a new path toward the Stanley Cup.