Yahoo Sports Carolina Hurricanes Aquire Superstar Winger Mikko Rantanen From Colorado Avalanche
The Carolina Hurricanes have reportedly acquired superstar Finnish winger Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche.
Mikko Rantanen is going to from Colorado to Carolina
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 25, 2025
Carolina has needed a true top-line winger to pair alongside franchise cornerstone Sebastian Aho and they finally have one.
Rantanen, 28, is a proven scorer and just the kind of superstar talent the Hurricanes have been looking for for a long time.
The 2015 10th overall pick is coming off of back-to-back 100+ point seasons and has scored at least 30 goals in four straight seasons.
The winger is a large-framed body too at 6-foot-4 and 215lbs and he's even been used consistently to take draws for Colorado too.
Rantanen is in the final year of a six-year, $9.25 million AAV deal and is in line for a huge pay day.
There is no extension in place yet, but the Canes have a good cap situation going into the future, so one shouldn't be a problem.
UPDATE (8:50): The Chicago Blackhawks will be retaining half of Rantanen's salary as part of a three team deal.
The Blackhawks are retaining half of Mikko Rantanen's cap hit, none on Taylor Hall.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) January 25, 2025
Reportedly going the other way is forward Martin Necas, one of the best skaters in the league and a burgeoning talent who just hasn't quite put it all together yet in Carolina.
The 2017 first-round pick looked to be on the precipice of breaking out this season, with a hot start to the year where he challenged for the league scoring lead through the first 30 games of the season, but he's since cooled off and hasn't had the same impact in the second quarter of the year.
Necas is in the first year of a two-year, $6 million AAV deal and would be a UFA at the end of it.
In Colorado, Necas will have the chance to play alongside Nathan MacKinnon where I'm sure his speed and hands will help elevate his game to another level.
UPDATE (8:50): Jesperi Kotkaniemi is also apparently heading to Colorado.
The 24-year-old center has never quite found success in Carolina. He's been a decent player, but one always on the outskirts of team favor and a quick one for demotion.
The 2018 third-overall pick has five years remaining on an eight-year, $4.82 million AAV contract.
NEW UPDATE (9:05): It has been reported that Kotkaniemi is not being traded and instead Jack Drury is going to Colorado.
Drury, 24, has one year remaining on a two-year, $1.73 million AAV deal.
The defensive-minded center had primarily centered Carolina's fourth line and had three goals and nine points on the season. He led the Canes in faceoff win percentage and played on both the penalty kill and power play.
Still lots of moving parts, but Kotkaniemi is not part of this
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 25, 2025
The massive three way deal will send Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to Carolina, Martin Necas & Jack Drury to Colorado per sources.
Chicago takes on 50% of Rantanen’s salary and gets its own third round pick back. @frank_seravalli on the trade first— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) January 25, 2025
NEW NEW UPDATE (9:30): The Hurricanes are sending their 2025 second-round pick and 2026 fourth-round pick to Colorado as part of the deal.
Colorado is getting picks in return too: 2nd rounder in the 2025 Draft and 4th rounder in the 2026 Draft.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) January 25, 2025
This move proves Carolina is all-in on this season as they look to prove themselves as a top team in the league and capable of getting over the conference final hump.
As more details about the trade become available, we will update accordingly.
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