Avalanche Trade Superstar Forward to Hurricanes in Three-Way Blockbuster Deal

According to multiple reports, the Colorado Avalanche are in the process of trading superstar forward Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in return for forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury as well as a 2025 second-round draft pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick.

This is the trade summary based on multiple reports:

• To Carolina: Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall

• To Colorado: Martin Necas, Jack Drury, 2025 second-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick

• To Chicago: 2025 third-round pick (originally Chicago's but coming back from Carolina) and retaining 50 per cent of Rantanen's salary

The Avalanche trading one of their best forwards is quite a shock to most but there were recent reports that Rantanen's recent play was likely going to price him out of Colorado as he enters the final season of his current deal and will be looking for an extension. It's expected that Rantanen will asking for a contract with an annual cap hit north of $13-14 million.

Rantanen, 28, is a Finnish winger that has inserted himself into the conversation as one of the best at the position with 158 goals and 207 assists for the fourth-most points in the league with 365 in 286 games played since the 2020-21 season.

More NHL: Nathan MacKinnon On Top as Favourite to Win Art Ross Trophy

Necas, 26, is a rising talent that had become one of the Hurricanes most valuable assets with the Czechia product having a favourable two-year bridge contract with a $6.5 million cap hit that expires at the end of next season.

The Avalanche are getting a young, skilled winger that has emerged as a point-per-game player if not better with 179 points in 208 games played since the 2022-23 season. His 55 points in 49 games this season has seen his point-per-game average skyrocket to 1.12 and sets himself up for a career-best season.

All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

The Hurricanes are listed as the favourites to win the Stanley Cup this season with odds at +550 and +275 to win the Eastern Conference.

The Avalanche are also looking like a contender with +1400 odds to win their second Stanley Cup in the last four seasons. The Western Conference looks to be loaded this season with Colorado listed at +600 to prevail and make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

More NHL: Why Alex Ovechkin Could Break Wayne Gretzky's Scoring Record This Season