ELMONT, N.Y. — Mikko Rantanen skated to center ice at UBS Arena and a familiar sound emanated from his teammates near the bench.
“Moooose.”
Rantanen scooped up the puck on his stick, smoothly moved toward the goaltender and then snapped a shot off the crossbar and into the net. His teammates cheered his slick shootout goal near the end of practice.
That was the only thing that felt familiar Monday morning at the New York Islanders‘ arena.
Rantanen was dressed all in red. He was practicing with the Carolina Hurricanes for the first time, getting ready for his second game with his new team after a blockbuster trade that marked the end of his time in Colorado and stunned the hockey world.