Avalanche News
‘It’s Tough to See Mikko Go’: Jared Bednar on Rantanen Trade

It has been an eventful and stressful nearly 24 hours for the Colorado Avalanche and their fans. On Friday night, elite forward Mikko Rantanen was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury as part of a three-team deal including the Chicago Blackhawks.
Head coach Jared Bednar said he understands the business side of the game, but it’s still “tough to see Mikko go, for sure.” The Avs lost 3-1 to the Boston Bruins in an emotional early Saturday afternoon game.
Deenโs Daily: Rantanen Blindsided By Trade; Why the Avalanche Made the Deal
“Tough day, really tough day. You lose a good friend, good teammate, great player. It’s hard but I understand the business side of things, and it’s a two-way street and they weren’t able to get a deal done. And then teams are calling … you got to get what you can, and I think we got some good players that can come in and help us, but it doesn’t make it any easier,” Bednar said.
โYou lose a good friend, good teammate, great player, itโs hard you know but I understand the business side of thingsโ
Coach Bednar on the loss, more trade talk, and the new guys โฌ๏ธ#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/Y6HUzMNO6C
— AltitudeTV (@AltitudeTV) January 25, 2025
Players were shocked and there was a lot of emotion throughout the team. The Avs drafted Rantanen 10th overall in 2015 and he played his entire NHL career โ up til now โ in burgundy and blue.
“I talked to them pregame, just briefly, because it impacts all of them, right? And their good friend’s leaving,” Bednar said. “I also think they understand the business side of it, just like our team does, Mikko does. It’s never easy, but you got to address it a little bit for sure, especially with a player like Mikko.”
The Avs deserved a better outcome having outshot the Bruins 28-15 in the disappointing loss. They played well with two new players so quickly after losing a team leader and longtime teammate.
“Our guys did a nice job. They came ready to play and play hard and play well. They’re all pros. I’m sure their mind’s thinking of that kind of stuff โ last night and their teammate โ prior to the game, at points, but I thought they did a good job with their focus,” Bednar said.