Rantanen Traded to Carolina in Blockbuster Three-Way Deal

The trade details are still coming in, but here’s what we know so far. According to Frank Seravalli, the breaking news is that the Colorado Avalanche are trading superstar winger Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in a complex three-way trade.

As part of the deal, Carolina is sending forward Martin Necas to Colorado with additional pieces involved. Jesperi Kotkaniemi is also expected to be part of the trade package heading to the Avalanche. (It was later learned Kotkaniemi was not included.)

Seravalli adds, “Believe #GoAvsGo  are also getting two draft picks back in the Rantanen deal from #RaiseUp : Sounds like 2nd and 4th Round Picks.”

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun has also reported Hall is involved in a three-team trade involving Carolina and added that a third-round pick is going to Chicago. 

Here are some key points about the deal. First, Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall are both pending unrestricted free agents. Second, Martin Necas is signed through next season with a $6.5-million cap hit.

The trade is still being sorted out, and the official trade call has not yet taken place.

Emily Kaplan writes: “The massive three way deal will involve sending Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to Carolina, Martin Necas & Jack Drury to Colorado per sources.

Chicago takes on 50% of Rantanen’s salary and gets its own third round pick back @frank_seravalli on the trade first”.

Elliotte Friedman corrected Seravalli’s post that Kotkaniemi was included. He tweeted: “Big deal looks something like this:
Carolina: Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall
Colorado: Martin Necas, Jack Drury
Chicago: third-round pick, 50 per cent of Rantanen salary

The big question becomes: can the Hurricanes convince Rantanen to sign? Sebastian Aho will lead the lobbying”

Related: The Canucks Are Imploding: Is Tocchet on the Hot Seat?