Confirmed Trade: [CAR/COL/CHI] Mikko Rantanen (50%), Taylor Hall, Nils Juntorp to CAR; Martin Necas, Jack Drury, '25 2nd, '26 4th to COL; '25 3rd to CHI for retention

[Justicebork]

View attachment 966805

One shitty patch. And it was shitty.lol That's it. 11 lousy days.

I think we are agreeing on this, right? He has been a completely serviceable winger all season, and absolutely crushed it for the first two months of the season. He was shooting above 30% early on, which added to the mystique around him. He has been very good since then even as his production has waned and regressed to what we've seen in prior years. Are we in disagreement on any of this?

He has gotten better in the playoffs every year as well, but I would not consider him an April/May dynamo by any stretch.

 

[SimpleJack]

Yeah, I'm not sure what the thought process was on this. Replacing Rantanens offense is gonna be challenging.

Necas and Drury combine to make up a solid chunk of Rantanens production. Plus they now have extra cap space to add more. Plus Nichushkin coming back. They’ll be fine as long as Mack and Makar are healthy. I like what they did here.

 

[shadow1]

Probably going to get flamed for this, but not a huge fan for my Avs.

Rantanen isn't what he was, even going back just a couple years. At one point he was pretty decent defensively, and he's godawful now. He also takes a lot of shifts off, which is frustrating. But he makes up for it with his insane point production and is money in the playoffs. He's got a solid chance of making the HHOF.

Colorado's biggest problem this season is depth. Part of that is injuries, but the bottom line is there are too many guys playing one station too high. That has led to inconsistency. Trading Rantanen was the team's best chance to address that, and I'm not sure they did. Necas is a step down from Rantanen, and Drury is similar to what the Avalanche already have in its bottom six - high-energy, low-offense players. And to my previous point, Drury was Carolina's 4th line center, yet will almost certainly be Colorado's 3C.

Very underwhelming trade for me. Not miserable value by any stretch, and I get that CMac's hands were tied by the reported sudden breakdown in negotiations. But I think the team is worse, both long and short term. I've seen a lot of comments wondering about Colorado's next move(s) and I have no doubt they're coming. But as far as I'm concerned, those are divorced from this trade, considering the Avs didn't gain any significant cap space or premium trade assets (though I can guarantee the 2nd round pick shouldn't go house hunting in Denver...).

 

[troyerlaw]

I actually think the Avs were smart to trade away Rantanen and replace him/the $$ he would have cost to keep with multiple other pieces to fill out the depth instead. Can’t have too many giant contracts on one roster.

Absolutely. One of the reasons Caps are good this year is that two of their giant contracts are on LTIR (Backstrom, Oshie)

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Of course the Canes had to try and one up the DeAngelo signing by the isles earlier.

 

[SimpleJack]

Probably going to get flamed for this, but not a huge fan for my Avs.

Rantanen isn't what he was, even going back just a couple years. At one point he was pretty decent defensively, and he's godawful now. He also takes a lot of shifts off, which is frustrating. But he makes up for it with his insane point production and is money in the playoffs. He's got a solid chance of making the HHOF.

Colorado's biggest problem this season is depth. Part of that is injuries, but the bottom line is there are too many guys playing one station too high. That has led to inconsistency. Trading Rantanen was the team's best chance to address that, and I'm not sure they did. Necas is a step down from Rantanen, and Drury is similar to what the Avalanche already have in its bottom six - high-energy, low-offense players. And to my previous point, Drury was Carolina's 4th line center, yet will almost certainly be Colorado's 3C.

Very underwhelming trade for me. Not miserable value by any stretch, and I get that CMac's hands were tied by the reported sudden breakdown in negotiations. But I think the team is worse, both long and short term. I've seen a lot of comments wondering about Colorado's next move(s) and I have no doubt they're coming. But as far as I'm concerned, those are divorced from this trade, considering the Avs didn't gain any significant cap space or premium trade assets (though I can guarantee the 2nd round pick shouldn't go house hunting in Denver...).

Avs aren’t done adding, I’d be shocked if they settle for Mittelstadt/Colton/Drury down the middle, IMO they’re gonna go all in to upgrade the C depth.

 

[5 14 6 1]

I can't even believe this deal, absolutely insane

 

[Lenny Levino]

Rantanen has always been underrated. He carried the offensive load everytime when MacKinnon went down to injury. Now Colorado no longer has Rantanen to lean on.

Expect MacKinnons numbers to drop a bit and even Makar's too. This is a sad day for Colorado fans. It's like them losing Sakic or Forsberg during their prime.

Avs are probably clearing cap space for Landeskog.

 

[SimpleJack]

Absolutely. One of the reasons Caps are good this year is that two of their giant contracts are on LTIR (Backstrom, Oshie)

Any chance Oshie comes back for the playoffs?

 

[BKarchitect]

The Avs tend to play their big gun lines way more than Carolina who spreads ice time out. Necas’ shooting % has certainly normalized after that hot start (it’s probably gone cold almost to the opposite degree) but he’s going to be fed more ice time in Colorado, likely next to MacK - and it’s his speed and vision that is gonna play well with in Bednar’s system.

You’re looking at a guy who has always been an elite, elite talent but at times frustratingly inconsistent. I’m not saying that concern is gone. But his season in total, hot start and cold stretches combined is still in that 85-90 point range with frankly middle six minute usage. The point totals are not out of line with his talent nor a guy who is coming into his own at age 25. Combine that with higher usage and slotting with MacKinnon and I don’t really have a great fear that he isn’t going to be an offensive dynamo in Denver. He’s gonna do numbers.

The playoffs - that’s another matter. Mikko may never have been “the man” but his size and strength were irrepressible in the post-season and his numbers are amazing. Big shoes to fill.

 

[Alienblood]

As a Winnipeg Jets fan, I approve of this deal.

The three headed nightmare fuel monster is, if not dead, seriously wounded.

We still have Nuke

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

Who is a comparable for Necas?

No one really comes to mind. Attacks the line with speed like MacKinnon; he’s not as skilled obviously. However, he’s also the total opposite in terms of physical play, despite being bigger.

In good times, he’s a game breaker. In bad times, he’s a defensive liability.

20 years ago, he’d be held up as the definition of a “soft euro.”

EDIT: Reading this back, that sounds a lot like Phil Kessel post goal scoring peak.

 

[McFlyingV]

Necas and Drury combine to make up a solid chunk of Rantanens production. Plus they now have extra cap space to add more. Plus Nichushkin coming back. They’ll be fine as long as Mack and Makar are healthy. I like what they did here.

A guy who is scoring at below average 4th line production is not helping make up Rantanen's production.

 

[Bounces R Way]

I like Rantanen fine as a big producing winger but as talented as he is with the puck he's straight up horrible off of it. Will be interesting to see how he fits into the Hurricanes roster because Rod's system doesn't really allow for that.

Very talented player obviously but I think you'd be nuts to pay this guy 13+ million a year. MacKinnon and Makar did a lot of the legwork for a lot of his production.

 

[Spilot23]

Colorado wasn't willing to pay one of the best wingers in the league like one of the best wingers in the league because they're dead set on Mack being the highest paid player on the team. Or something to that tune.

This pretty much. Not gonna pay 14M$+ for a winger that can't drive his own line when we have Makar to sign soon. If someone can ask more than Mack that's Makar. Hurts like hell losing Rantanen considering how good he is in the playoffs but at least we got something and some depth/cap to work with. I doubt this is the only move Avs have in their sleeve after trading a top 5 winger.

Maybe Avs will sign Rantanen at 10M$ in the offseason

 

[BB88]

Don't recall typing a single opinion... showed their current stats, ages and caphits.

But 'not even close' as your opinion is pretty funny. This is not a great AINEC candidate.

Oh yeah for sure

One is a true superstar and one of the best playoff producers in the league

But I guess this has nothing to do with the reality and all about the country

 

[Jerkob Slavin]

I would say Jarvis and Nikitin... I pray not Necas, dont like the DNA

LOL… you’d get neither for a rental, and certainly not both.

 

[Captain Controversy]

No one really comes to mind. Attacks the line with speed like MacKinnon; he’s not as skilled obviously. However, he’s also the total opposite in terms of physical play, despite being bigger.

In good times, he’s a game breaker. In bad times, he’s a defensive liability.

20 years ago, he’d be held up as the definition of a “soft euro.”

EDIT: Reading this back, that sounds a lot like Phil Kessel post goal scoring peak.

A big soft player eh?
So he's a bigger Matt Douchene?

 

[shadow1]

Avs aren’t done adding, I’d be shocked if they settle for Mittelstadt/Colton/Drury down the middle, IMO they’re gonna go all in to upgrade the C depth.

I'm sure they're not. But they just traded one of the best players in franchise history, in one of the biggest deals in the last 20 years. I have a lot of faith in CMac overall, but right now my focus is on this trade.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Probably going to get flamed for this, but not a huge fan for my Avs.

Rantanen isn't what he was, even going back just a couple years. At one point he was pretty decent defensively, and he's godawful now. He also takes a lot of shifts off, which is frustrating. But he makes up for it with his insane point production and is money in the playoffs. He's got a solid chance of making the HHOF.

Colorado's biggest problem this season is depth. Part of that is injuries, but the bottom line is there are too many guys playing one station too high. That has led to inconsistency. Trading Rantanen was the team's best chance to address that, and I'm not sure they did. Necas is a step down from Rantanen, and Drury is similar to what the Avalanche already have in its bottom six - high-energy, low-offense players. And to my previous point, Drury was Carolina's 4th line center, yet will almost certainly be Colorado's 3C.

Very underwhelming trade for me. Not miserable value by any stretch, and I get that CMac's hands were tied by the reported sudden breakdown in negotiations. But I think the team is worse, both long and short term. I've seen a lot of comments wondering about Colorado's next move(s) and I have no doubt they're coming. But as far as I'm concerned, those are divorced from this trade, considering the Avs didn't gain any significant cap space or premium trade assets (though I can guarantee the 2nd round pick shouldn't go house hunting in Denver...).

Rantanen is going to be a beast in Carolina. He's going to carry that offense. Carolina has always been knocked out in the playoffs because they lack a superstar and never had that elite game breaker when games were tight. Now they have one and he has a cup ring too. Rantanen will enjoy playing with his fellow countryman Aho.

I'll laugh though if Rantanen walks this summer to another team lol.

 

[Czechboy]

April/May dynamo by any stretch

He's been mercurial and inconsistent. His skillset (VERY HIGH) and production (confusing) have not added up in the last 7 years. I think he's finally figured this all out.

Most will laugh at this but I think it was the Skoda's (world championships which are not NHL tier and I wont' argue that but there were some damn fine rosters last year)) that finally got him over the hump. He outplayed Pasta and that was huge for his development.

I would've loved to see what he did this April/May for the Canes (last playoff run was excellent for him). His last Calendar year was a very good playoff run, an insane Worlds and an insane start to the season. A shit 11 days and back to near .ppg again.

I'm obviously a fan but I think he'd finally figured it out and will be a .ppg player for years now.

My ONLY fear is that he needs the puck all the time and I don't think he'll gel with MacK and Makar. He's a 2nd line outscorer and is better with average players and then on PP1 with the stars. He's a 5 on 5 dynamo IMO and has the same even strength production as Rantan this season with 200 less 5 on 5 minutes (maybe 100, sorry, posted it earlier).

I like the Avs, I like the Canes. I'm in win-win territory here. I could see both win a Cup or even meet in finals and not even flinch. I am curious to see how production changes when Rantanan leave behind Makar/Mack and Necas picks them up. No disrespect to Aho who I think is amazing.

 

[La Bamba]

You must’ve forgotten that Chad LaRose was a Hurricane, but second most talented is still pretty good.

ah shit, my bad

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Oh yeah for sure

One is a true superstar and one of the best playoff producers in the league

But I guess this has nothing to do with the reality and all about the country

You can still be a Rantanen fan, as you always were. Why do you care what the Avs do?

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Avs are probably clearing cap space for Landeskog.

That's IF Landeskog comes back and is able to return to form. He hasn't played a game for over 2 years.

Avs are a worse team after this trade but they gained more depth.

 

[jfhabs]

What the hell Chicago