Elliotte Friedman Reveals What Exactly Led To The Mikko Rantanen Trade From the Colorado Avalanche

On Friday, the NHL saw one of the biggest blockbusters we've seen in quite some time, with the Avalanche acquiring Martin Necas, Jack Drury and draft picks to move Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The deal seemingly came out of nowhere, but the reasoning from Colorado was sound, as the team couldn't come to terms on an extension with No. 96, and instead opted to get something in return rather than run it back one last time before losing him in free agency over the summer.

Now, top NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has revealed just how much Rantanen was asking for, noting that the number was influenced by the deal signed in Edmonton by Leon Draisaitl this past off-season.

That deal saw Draisaitl ink a $14 million AAV deal, with Rantanen, who is represented by the same people wanting to get the same number, with Colorado continuing to insist that they wouldn't pay him more than reigning Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon.

Unsurprisingly, the Avalanche stuck to their guns, and although Rantanen has tallied over 100 points in three straight seasons, they got back two very talented players and draft picks for him, and if he doesn't sign in Carolina this summer, that's some major assets to give up for a rental.

Ultimately, the Avalanche realized that it was time to move on from Rantanen, and with him wanting $14 million AAV on a long-term deal with Cale Makar's free agency set for the summer of 2027, it's safe to say that they made the right call by moving him now.