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Deen’s View: The Avalanche’s Calculated but Risky Gamble in Trading Mikko Rantanen (+)

This was a calculated move. But you can’t deny it’s extremely risky.
In a stunning Friday night trade that sent shockwaves through the hockey world, the Avalanche parted ways with Mikko Rantanen, shipping the superstar winger and Stanley Cup champion to the Carolina Hurricanes for Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and two draft picks.
The Blackhawks were also involved in the complex three-team trade. They retained half of Rantanen’s remaining salary this season and sent Taylor Hall to Carolina for a third-round pick.
On the surface, it’s not a deal that makes sense for the Avs. Trading away one of the NHL’s elite talents, who has two straight 100+ point seasons isn’t something a Stanley Cup contender usually does in the middle of a season. But there’s a lot more to this.
Let’s break down all the reasons why this move was made, and what it means for a team still looking to compete for the Stanley Cup.