The trade that saw the superstar dealt to Carolina sent shockwaves through the league and up and down the Colorado franchise.
That's why the three-way deal that sent Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to Carolina, Martin Necas and Jack Drury to Colorado, and a third-round pick to Chicago is such a shocker.
You could tell the trade of Mikko Rantanen really stung everyone in ... Cale Makar, and head coach Jared Bednar had to face the media and discuss all anyone really wanted to talk about - Chris ...
Mikko Rantanen is now with the Carolina Hurricanes, something he did not envision happening. He was discussing a contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche before the surprise move. He admitted he was willing to take less than his market value to stay. Via Athlon Sports, the winger said:
BOSTON -- As Chris MacFarland wrapped up his remarks Saturday, as he explained the forces that had caused him to send forward Mikko Rantanen across the country from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes, a blockbuster trade that shook the franchise and fanbase, he uttered the words that were at the bottom of everything.
Nathan MacKinnon wasn’t exactly impressed when he found out his linemate and close friend had been traded. The 29-year-old from Cole Harbour reacted to Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen’s trade to the Carolina Hurricanes on the weekend and he didn’t have a whole lot of positives to offer.
The Avalanche entered the third at UBS Arena tied with the New York Islanders. All they needed to do was win a period and return home feeling good after an emotional road trip.
The Colorado Avalanche looks like the better team for the better part of the first 40 minutes and then the final period is a problem. Colorado had all kinds of chances in the first two periods Tuesday night at UBS Arena,
The Bruins, who had eight shots on goal through two periods, tied the game 1-1 when Geekie scored 25 seconds into the third period. Geekie then gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead at 5:44. Pastrnak controlled the puck behind the Colorado net, skated around Wedgewood's right side, and found Geekie on the far post for the backdoor tap-in goal.
The Avalanche began the process of moving on with its first win since the deal Sunday afternoon against the Rangers. Drury scored a goal. Necas was dynamic, collecting two assists and hitting both the crossbar and post with shots while playing in Rantanen’s old spot next to MacKinnon.
Jared Bednar has been known to rely heavily on his top forwards, often overplaying the top line to the point where some nights you wouldn't know the Avalanche were even dressing 12 forwards. That was not the case in Sunday's 5-4 win over the New York Rangers.