The word “blockbuster” gets thrown around a little too often in today’s NHL, often for trades unworthy of the term, in the same way that anything might feel like a five-star meal to a starving man. But the deal that dropped on Friday night? That one deserves the title, no questions asked.
First, the details if you somehow missed them:
Trade official:
Colorado trades Mikko Rantanen to Chicago in return for UDC Nils Juntorp
Chicago trades Mikko Rantanen (50% retained) and Taylor Hall to Carolina in return for Chicago’s own 2025 3rd round draft pick
Carolina trades Martin Necas, Jack Drury, Carolina’s own 2025…— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 25, 2025
There’s a lot there to unpack, but the basics are jaw-dropping enough on their own: The Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen.