Recall the moment when Mikko Rantanen expressed, “I was shocked yesterday. I was surprised. I don’t really want to get into too many details, but it was a surprise for sure.” He was as surprised as anyone in the NHL community when he was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes. This season signified his 10th with the Avs, and he is eager to continue playing alongside them. However, the NHL is unforgiving regarding trades and contracts.
For the Avs, he stood out as a leading scorer, taking part in 49 games during which he scored 25 goals, delivered 39 assists, and accumulated a total of 64 points. However, Rantanen’s performance sharply declined at the Canes, as he took part in only 13 games, scoring 2 goals, delivering 4 assists, and accumulating a total of 6 points. While it appears that Rantanen has regained his momentum against the Dallas Stars, he is eagerly anticipating a particular match.
In just a few hours, the Stars are set to take on the Avs. On X, NHL Public Relations shared an intriguing statistic: “After 654 games as teammates and a #StanleyCup win together in 2022, Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon will go head-to-head in the NHL for the first time.” That’s quite an impressive number of games! For those who closely follow hockey, the on-ice chemistry between Rantanen and MacKinnon is likely well-known.
Recall the somber expression on MacKinnon’s face upon learning of Rantanen’s exit from the Avs? “Really great friend. Nine years, 10 years together, won a Cup, obviously. It’s just sad. I mean, I don’t know exactly what happened. I called Mikko pretty shortly after. We talked for close to 20 minutes. But yeah, it’s just unfortunate. Losing a great friend, great teammate. I’m gonna miss him,” expressed the 29-year-old after his teammate’s trade to the Canes.
Without a doubt, MacKinnon felt the effects of Rantanen’s departure. To understand their chemistry on the ice, a simple search of their names will reveal footage of the duo showcasing their skills with the puck. The duo significantly bolstered the Avs’ offensive capabilities, and this trade certainly left many fans and the two players feeling heartbroken.
After 654 games as teammates and a #StanleyCup win together in 2022, Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon will go head-to-head in the NHL for the first time.
The potential First Round matchup between Dallas and Colorado caps a doubleheader on @NHL_On_TNT (truTV) and @SportsonMax. pic.twitter.com/353k3wADkN
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) March 16, 2025
Nonetheless, Rantanen will experience a sense of tranquility in reconnecting with his former teammate, but this time wearing a different jersey. Recently, the forward also provided a candid perspective on his experience with the Canes.
Mikko Rantanen gets honest about his recent trade
Mikko Rantanen, maintaining a composed demeanor, shared, “It’s been, you know, different six, seven weeks for sure. And then I was in Carolina; you know, obviously the first couple of days were a little shock, shock for sure. But then I went there with an open mind; you know, I never, never listed any teams at that point. I’ve heard somebody say that, you know, I went there with an open mind to play there long term.”
Since his move to the Canes, he has found himself in a state of confusion. He didn’t understand the way he was traded, as he still believed he should be a part of the Avs. Nevertheless, Rantanen made efforts to adjust and even strategized for a long-term commitment with the Canes. Many expressed skepticism about the hockey player due to his poor performance after the trade; however, he was focused on taking the necessary time to adjust to the new circumstances.
However, what was the situation with the Avs? “I tried my best. You know, obviously, I told them before the trade happened, a couple of days before; they wanted to do a trade and sign as well. And I told them I’m only focused on Colorado; I want to stay in Colorado. And they still did the trade, so that was their decision,” Rantanen stated.
For him, the team where he clinched his inaugural Stanley Cup in 2022 has always been his top focus in the realm of hockey. He never imagined that, despite his impressive performance, he would find himself traded to another team. In a significant move, Rantanen has secured an eight-year, $96 million contract extension with the Dallas Stars. His future is now firmly established with the team adorned in green and white, as he eagerly anticipates the continuation of his hockey aspirations.
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