James Guillory-Imagn Images
The Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks pulled off an unexpected, huge trade late Friday night, with the Avs sending star right winger Mikko Rantanen to Carolina for centers Martin Necas and Jack Drury.
Carolina also acquired veteran left winger Taylor Hall from the Hawks, who landed a third-round draft pick in return for Hall and for retaining 50 percent of Rantanen’s $9.25-million salary.
There are other components to the deal, including the Avalanche landing Carolina’s second-round pick at this summer’s draft, as well as Carolina’s fourth-rounder in 2026.
Related: Official: Hurricanes Trade For Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall From Avalanche, Blackhawks
So, in the aftermath of a blockbuster, here are three things this super trade tells us:
1. Guentzel Who? Carolina Is Done Being The Contender That Doesn’t Win
The Hurricanes have swung for the fences of late, acquiring Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins last season in a deal that ultimately didn’t work out. Guentzel didn’t re-sign in Carolina and had his rights traded to the Tampa Bay lightning.
But Tulsky just pulled off the biggest trade in Hurricanes franchise history, and he came away with the best player in the deal in Rantanen, in addition to another valuable veteran in Hall.
Carolina now has only about $1.23 million in cap space, but Tulsky doesn’t need to make any more moves than this one. Time will tell whether the Hurricanes can get Rantanen’s signature on a contract extension, but they’ve put the NHL on notice – this ‘Canes team intends to win it all. Their two Eastern Conference final losses and two second-round eliminations in the last six seasons made them fed up, and by bringing in a Cup champion in Rantanen, they’ve landed the superstar power their fans want to see.
Related: By Getting Rantanen, New Hurricanes Cowboy Eric Tulsky Pulls Off A Big ‘Ole NHL Blockbuster
2. Colorado Gave Up On Rantanen But Not In General
The Avalanche definitely wanted to keep Rantanen in the fold, but given that he’ll be a UFA at season’s end, this trade signals they weren’t confident they could get him signed for the long term. The Rantanen camp is believed to be seeking something like the $14-million cap hit Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl agreed to, and Nathan MacKinnon is getting $12.6 million. It’s tough to make that work.
Still, the Avalanche now have 26-year-old Necas, an excellent player in his own right…