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DONE DEAL: Avalanche trades Mikko Rantanen to Carolina Hurricanes, according to reports… See more

In a significant NHL transaction, the Colorado Avalanche have traded star forward Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes as part of a three-team deal also involving the Chicago Blackhawks. Alongside Rantanen, the Hurricanes acquire veteran winger Taylor Hall from Chicago. In return, the Avalanche receive forwards Martin Nečas and Jack Drury from Carolina, as well as a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Blackhawks, facilitating the trade by retaining 50% of Rantanen’s $9.25 million salary, receive a third-round pick in the 2025 Draft. ([NHL](https://www.nhl.com/news/mikko-rantanen-taylor-hall-traded-to-hurricanes-in-three-team-deal?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

 

Mikko Rantanen, 28, has been a pivotal player for the Avalanche since being selected 10th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. Over 619 games with Colorado, he amassed 681 points (287 goals, 394 assists) and was instrumental in their 2022 Stanley Cup victory. This season, Rantanen has recorded 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 49 games. He is in the final year of a six-year, $55.5 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

 

Taylor Hall, also acquired by the Hurricanes, is in the final season of a four-year, $24 million contract he signed with the Boston Bruins in 2021. He will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

 

The Avalanche bolster their roster with the addition of Martin Nečas and Jack Drury. Nečas, 26, has been a consistent performer for the Hurricanes, contributing significantly over the past two seasons. Drury, 25, has shown promise as a developing center. Both players are expected to provide depth and versatility to Colorado’s lineup.

 

This trade reflects the Hurricanes’ commitment to strengthening their roster for a deep playoff run, adding high-caliber forwards in Rantanen and Hall. For the Avalanche, acquiring Nečas and Drury, along with future draft picks, aligns with a strategy to remain competitive while planning for the future. The Blackhawks’ involvement, primarily through salary retention, facilitates the transaction while adding a draft asset to aid their rebuilding efforts.

 

As the NHL trade deadline approaches on March 7, this blockbuster deal underscores the dynamic strategies teams employ to balance immediate aspirations with long-term goals.

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