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

[dirtydanglez]

Necas -3 first game with the avs.

his lines was controlling the play almost every time they were on the ice. the stats dont tell the whole story. i really think necas is going to light it up in colorado it's just a matter of finding the right chemistry and getting settled.

 

[eviohh26]

his lines was controlling the play almost every time they were on the ice. the stats dont tell the whole story.

I just read the stat line.

 

[dirtydanglez]

I just read the stat line.

yea its a horrible stat line. based on how the line played you'd think he'd have an point and be +2 but it just didn't work out that way.

 

[redandyellowcametobe]

I mean I posted the stats to show how Rantanen has gotten downright destroyed without Nathan Mackinnon over the last 3 years. It’s not like they kinda fall off a little. It’s pretty drastic.

Over the last 3 combined seasons Rantanen has a 41.94 Xgf away from Mackinnon 5v5.

If you want to talk in actual goals during that time instead of expected, Rantanen has an actual gf% of 42.86.

Again this is combined stats for this season, last season and the one before. It’s not something that’s made up. You’re definitely correct in saying he’s never gotten an opportunity to prove it over a full season but when his results are this poor Bednar would be an absolute bozo if he tried to force it for any longer than he did.

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerreport.php?fromseason=20222023&thruseason=20242025&stype=2&sit=5v5&stdoi=oi&rate=n&v=t&playerid=8478420

Anyone saying Mikko was good away from Mack the last 3 years is either lying or misinformed.

I don’t think I’ve missed more than 5 games a season since 2018 and Mikko was obviously great but he’s not 19-22 great. Especially away from Mack.

The start of the slide the first two rounds on the Avs cup run. He was a downright liability out there. The Avs were putting up 6 and 7 goal games thru the first two series and his first goal wasn’t until game 4 of the 2nd round Blues series and it was an empty netter. It’s the first time I was like wtf is going on. He put it together bc he’s that talented and contributed the last two series but I didn’t love his game at all that playoff. Like at all.

He’s had bits and spurts since then, because again, he’s just that talented. But his overall play left most of us wanting more. Especially on the defensive side. Yikes. Liability in OT. Lehky’s dad calling him out in the Finnish media and saying he didn’t train and was lazy that summer was a bit of an eye opener. I also think Landy being off that line exposed Mikko on the defensive side of things even more

To this day, I don’t think I’ll ever see a player have such bad games and somehow put up 2 or 3 points. Is it the Mack effect or Mikko is just that talented. I think a bit of both tbh.

Too see how he’ll do away from Mack long term will be interesting. It’ll likely be more of the same. Hopefully has some chemistry with Aho but who knows.

 

[Svechhammer]

Anyone saying Mikko was good away from Mack the last 3 years is either lying or misinformed.

I don’t think I’ve missed more than 5 games a season since 2018 and Mikko was obviously great but he’s not 19-22 great. Especially away from Mack.

The start of the slide the first two rounds on the Avs cup run. He was a downright liability out there. The Avs were putting up 6 and 7 goal games thru the first two series and his first goal wasn’t until game 4 of the 2nd round Blues series and it was an empty netter. It’s the first time I was like wtf is going on. He put it together bc he’s that talented and contributed the last two series but I didn’t love his game at all that playoff. Like at all.

He’s had bits and spurts since then, because again, he’s just that talented. But his overall play left most of us wanting more. Especially on the defensive side. Yikes. Liability in OT. Lehky’s dad calling him out in the Finnish media and saying he didn’t train and was lazy that summer was a bit of an eye opener. I also think Landy being off that line exposed Mikko on the defensive side of things even more

To this day, I don’t think I’ll ever see a player have such bad games and somehow put up 2 or 3 points. Is it the Mack effect or Mikko is just that talented. I think a bit of both tbh.

Too see how he’ll do away from Mack long term will be interesting. It’ll likely be more of the same. Hopefully has some chemistry with Aho but who knows.

Aho is extremely underrated, and a large part of that is that outside of about 20 games last year with Guentzel, he's never really been paired with a proven goal scorer. He has incredible vision, able to set up multiple Grade A chances a night and the puck always manages to find dead center of the jersey logo.

Him and Rantanen together should work very well because their skills should mesh very well with each other, and they've had good chemistry before in international play. If we are able to extend Rants I wouldn't be shocked at all to see both him and Aho as annual 100 point players for at least the next few years. Rants has been there already and Aho has been getting close.

 

[Stickpucker]

What's really interesting to me is all the reactions to this but meanwhile on HF there is a constant trend of people saying the Leafs needs to trade Marner to fill out their depth .

 

[Stickpucker]

Thanks for the reminder turd.

 

[Habs Halifax]

What's really interesting to me is all the reactions to this but meanwhile on HF there is a constant trend of people saying the Leafs needs to trade Marner to fill out their depth .

Of course the Leafs prefer to add but the Leafs don't have the same depth issues that the Avs have. And Marner being from Ontario, I think this is more like the Landeskog situation where they go to the wire and he stays.

I just don't see Marner leaving the Leafs. Not impossible but I'll say 80% or higher he is staying. Cap is rising and Tavares will take a lot less to stay and that should give them the flexibility they need.

 

[ToDavid]

What bugs me the most about both players is how they are going after max deals. It's selfish and Rantanen just screwed himself over from staying on a dynasty team. I'm sure he will do fine with the Canes. We will see.

8x $14M = $112M
vs
8x $12M = $96M

Rantanen has already earned $58M in his career. $154M vs $170M. So you are going to screw over MacKinnon (who left money on the table) because you want $170M and $154M is not enough? Come on man! Agents are needed but sometimes, they are the problem. Feeding the players ego so the agents cut gets higher

NHL CBA is 50/50 split. Leave a little for the middle of the line-up so your GM can ice a competitive roster. Just because you left a little on the table, it don't mean the owners are making more money, it means your teammates are.

If Marner wants more respect from his team and fans, he will take $10M or $11M and put less pressure on his back.

So Mackinnon "left money on the table" when he signed for 15.1% of the cap, but Rantanen is "selfish" and "going after a max deal" by reportedly asking for $14m, which looks like its going to be ~14.5% of the cap next year (nevermind that they would have likely met somewhere in the middle around $13m).

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Necas -3 first game with the avs.

Excellent analysis

 

[Calderon]

I wonder if significantly shorter term was ever on the table. Something like 3 years and 12 million. Or 2 years, try your hardest to win a cup and leave for greener pastures once Makar gets his raise and the cap has confirmedly risen.

The long terms seems what screws over things -- both sides, even, which was evident in Mack's 2nd contract @ $6,3M per and seven years. I get that it's security but career ending injuries are still rare and even with a, say, three year bridge deal Mack would've gotten almost 20M in addiction to his ELC millions. I think a lot of the Avs contract controversy stems from the fact that Mack played many years as the most underpaid player in the league. Had he gotten more money earlier perhaps suddenly it's not as crazy to let Rantanen have his due, too.

Although if it's really about depth and not willing to be as dumb as the Leafs front office then I get it and you just have to respect their decision.

 

[hullsy47]

I wonder if significantly shorter term was ever on the table. Something like 3 years and 12 million. Or 2 years, try your hardest to win a cup and leave for greener pastures once Makar gets his raise and the cap has confirmedly risen.

The long terms seems what screws over things -- both sides, even, which was evident in Mack's 2nd contract @ $6,3M per and seven years. I get that it's security but career ending injuries are still rare and even with a, say, three year bridge deal Mack would've gotten almost 20M in addiction to his ELC millions. I think a lot of the Avs contract controversy stems from the fact that Mack played many years as the most underpaid player in the league. Had he gotten more money earlier perhaps suddenly it's not as crazy to let Rantanen have his due, too.

Although if it's really about depth and not willing to be as dumb as the Leafs front office then I get it and you just have to respect their decision.

Well if u think necas is chopped liver then maybe u criticize the avs
But i respect colorado for standing ground ,the leafs woulf be smart to pass marner an offer today
U cant have stars going into tye 4 nation cup not signed
If they get hurt it can be disastrous for the team and the fan base will crucify both player and managmemt

 

[FerrisRox]

What's really interesting to me is all the reactions to this but meanwhile on HF there is a constant trend of people saying the Leafs needs to trade Marner to fill out their depth .

There's a world of different between a playoff contender moving a proven post-season warrior and a playoff pretender moving a guy who has been a main culprit in multiple first round exits due to lousy post-season efforts.

If you can't see the difference, it might because your glasses are tinted dark blue.

 

[Fatass]

Excellent analysis

Are the Avs trying Nescas as centre?

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Are the Avs trying Nescas as centre?

He played on the wing with MacKinnon and Drouin yesterday and I suspect he will stay there for a handful of games at least to see how it works

 

[DaveG]

his lines was controlling the play almost every time they were on the ice. the stats dont tell the whole story. i really think necas is going to light it up in colorado it's just a matter of finding the right chemistry and getting settled.

Necas was the Canes most offensively gifted player before the trade. The biggest thing that he lacked was the consistency of Aho or chemistry with the more talented offensive guys here. If he and Mac can click I can easily see him hitting the 100 point mark, no exaggeration there.

 

[pelderhostiga]

What bugs me the most about both players is how they are going after max deals. It's selfish and Rantanen just screwed himself over from staying on a dynasty team. I'm sure he will do fine with the Canes. We will see.

8x $14M = $112M
vs
8x $12M = $96M

Rantanen has already earned $58M in his career. $154M vs $170M. So you are going to screw over MacKinnon (who left money on the table) because you want $170M and $154M is not enough? Come on man! Agents are needed but sometimes, they are the problem. Feeding the players ego so the agents cut gets higher

NHL CBA is 50/50 split. Leave a little for the middle of the line-up so your GM can ice a competitive roster. Just because you left a little on the table, it don't mean the owners are making more money, it means your teammates are.

If Marner wants more respect from his team and fans, he will take $10M or $11M and put less pressure on his back.

This could be a good post if not for these slight mistakes:

1. Rantanen was not on a dynasty team.

2. Avs management's ceiling for a contract was 11.75 million and Rantanen was ready to take a hometown discount. The contract with Avs would've never been 14 million and we will probably never know how close it could have been to 12 million.

3. Basically every team close to cap wastes millions on bad contracts, why should a star player leave a lot of money to the table if there is no certainty that it will actually benefit the team?

 

[elmaco]

None of us leave money at the table when looking for employment, you're a hypocrite if you bash Rantanen for doing the same

 

[Habs Halifax]

This could be a good post if not for these slight mistakes:

1. Rantanen was not on a dynasty team.

2. Avs management's ceiling for a contract was 11.75 million and Rantanen was ready to take a hometown discount. The contract with Avs would've never been 14 million and we will probably never know how close it could have been to 12 million.

3. Basically every team close to cap wastes millions on bad contracts, why should a star player leave a lot of money to the table if there is no certainty that it will actually benefit the team?

Avs are a dynasty team with the stars they have. One cup yes but more is expected. You don't see many teams with MacKinnon, Markar, Rantanen pieces too often. Depth issues are a problem but could be fixed over a year or so.

If Rantanen was willing to take a discount, he should have (what was the delay)? Avs could not risk having him walk for nothing (clearly). They have way more information than we do and I'm pretty sure the Avs preferred Rantanen to stay. My gut says Avs preferred $11M - $12M range and Rantanen's agent was $13M+. I hear of the $14M talks and maybe your take less was $13M but still way to high for the Avs. They clearly had no confidence Rantanen would come down to $11M - $12M range.

I stand firm. There is a 50/50 revenue split. Owners will not get more money if guys like Rantanen take $11.5M vs $13.5M. Who gets the money? Your teammates and your GM has more to work with. There is a lot of greed going on with agents and this "rising cap". Stars should be paid and $11.5M for Rantanen is him getting paid! Give me a break with "I need to protect my family" narrative, when you will have well north of $150M in career earnings.

 

[HelmutCool]

Colorado got even weaker in the faceoffs with this trade as well. And didnt solve their second line center issue. Necas is good speedy player, but he will be asking 11M after next year if he produces and its same situation all over again.
Rantanen said he was prepared to leave money on the table so guessing 12,5M would have gotten it done.

 

[Fatass]

Avs are a dynasty team with the stars they have. One cup yes but more is expected.

Depth issues are a problem but could be fixed over a year or so.

If Rantanen was willing to take a discount, he should have (what was the delay)? Avs could not risk having him walk for nothing (clearly). They have way more information than we do and I'm pretty sure the Avs preferred Rantanen to stay.

My gut says Avs preferred $11M - $12M range and Rantanen's agent was $13M+. I hear of the $14M talks and maybe your take less was $13M but still way to high for the Avs. They clearly had no confidence Rantanen would come down to $11M - $12M range.

I stand firm. There is a 50/50 revenue split. Owners will not get more money if guys like Rantanen take $11.5M vs $13.5M. Who gets the money? Your teammates. There is a lot of greed going on with Agents and this "rising cap". Stars should be paid and $11.5M for Rantanen is him getting paid!

What will Nescas demand on his next deal? Maybe playing with Mac and Makar he will be a 12+ per player?

 

[shello]

Bedard didn't sound too impressed with the Hall trade. Are they not concerned at all that a trade request could be submitted sometime in the next year or so ? It is going to be even harder for him to win games

Don’t love Davidson’s approach with chucking every veteran into the sun for whatever he can get. Not saying Hall is this player, but you gotta have some vets around Bedard that can compliment him on the ice and work with him off the ice. Hawks had some nice vets when Kane and Toews came into the league, Pens did too with Sid. Can’t just build a winning culture with young draft picks

 

[Habs Halifax]

What will Nescas demand on his next deal? Maybe playing with Mac and Makar he will be a 12+ per player?

That has been on my mind as well. Doubt he gets to that level. Imagine if Necas puts up Rantanen numbers on the Avs and Rantanen puts up Necas numbers on the Canes? Wouldn't that be something eh? Not counting on it but something to watch

Necas is probably a $9M-$10M asset after his bridge with a new salary cap. That's my wildest guess.

 

[Fatass]

That has been on my mind as well. Doubt he gets to that level. Imagine if Necas puts up Rantanen numbers on the Avs and Rantanen puts up Necas numbers on the Canes? Wouldn't that be something eh? Not counting on it but something to watch

Necas is probably a $9M-$10M asset after his bridge with a new salary cap. That's my wildest guess.

Could be. Avs pushed that decision down the road a year with the trade.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Colorado got even weaker in the faceoffs with this trade as well. And didnt solve their second line center issue. Necas is good speedy player, but he will be asking 11M after next year if he produces and its same situation all over again.
Rantanen said he was prepared to leave money on the table so guessing 12,5M would have gotten it done.

Necas will play wing (for now) and Drury is a great faceoff guy, so disagree.

We sucked at faceoffs anyways