Mikko Rantanen Commerce Characters: Analysis of Hurrican-Avalanche Agreement

On By Littum

The Carolina Hurricanes takes a big turn.

Carolina acquired two-time 40-goal scorer and Stanley Cup champion Mikko Rantan from Colorado Avalanche and former NHL MVP Taylor Hall from Chicago Blackhawks In a blockbuster -trading Friday night.

Colorado received Martin Necas and Jack Drury from Carolina in the deal along with another round pick and pick in the fourth round. Chicago gets a third -round choice that helps to facilitate the agreement by maintaining 50% of Rantan’s salary.

Carolina Hurricanes Handelsgrad

Degree: B+

For the hurricanes, the move for the Rantan is about raising the ceiling.

Rantan, 28, has been one of the NHL’s most productive wings in recent seasons, set up back-to-back 40-goal, 100-point campaigns (including 55 goals in 2022-23) and help Avalanche win Stanley Cup in 2022. He is also a pending unlimited free agent who is ready to see his average annual value increase from the $ 9.25 million he was already making.

In a perfect world, the hurricanes and Rantan will be able to reach an expansion. The fact that we do not yet know if an extension is in place is the only thing that really holds this deal back from being an A. worst case: This is last year’s Jake Guentzel trade, on steroids.

Even if an extension does not come, the Rantan is the kind of advanced difference-maker that could help Carolina finally break through. Hurricans have been knocking on the door for years, but have not reached the 19-year-old Stanley Cup final, with two conference final performances and three second round outputs since 2019.

Hall, 33, is not the player he was when he won the MVP prize in 2018, but he is still a solid enough depth and will probably put more points to play for a significant Better team.

Colorado Avalanche Trade Grade

Degree: C+

This deal seems to indicate the Rantan, and avalanche did not see a path forward. Colorado already has one of the league’s most expensive players in MVP Nathan Mackinnon ($ 12.6 million AAV), and it will frankly be a surprise if defender Cale Makar does not clear $ 10 million a year when his contract expires after the season 2026-27.

Losing a homework player like the Rantan always hurts, but for a competing Colorado team, landing of NECA’s will help soften battles. Necas, 26, is actually Hurricanes’ leading goal scorer right now (55 points in 49 games) and has another year left on his contract at a good price ($ 6.5 million AAV).

Drury, 24, is a young depth of team control. And it never hurts to add choices.

NHL insider Chris Johnston says There are “more coming in Colorado.”

Chicago Blackhawks Handelsgrad

Degree: C

Not much to see here. One of the worst teams in the league sends out the hall and gets a choice to help make the deal happen. Thus, the life of a reconstruction team that is already thinking about the draft of lottery.