Deen's Daily
Deen’s Daily: Zadorov Can’t Believe Avalanche Traded Rantanen; MacKinnon, Bednar Dejected
The Avalanche played their first game in the post-Mikko Rantanen era. How did they do? Also, Jared Bednar and Nathan MacKinnon were open and honest about their thoughts on the trade. So was another former teammate, Nikita Zadorov, who played against the Avs on Saturday.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — January 26.
Colorado Hockey Now
Zadorov and the Boston Bruins defeated the Avalanche 3-1 on Saturday. Both Martin Necas and Jack Drury made their debuts in the loss.
Martin Necas had only eclipsed 23 minutes four times with Carolina and had not reached that number since 2022. His career-high was 23:43.
In his Avalanche debut, Necas played 25:08, a new career high.
Welcome to Colorado, kid.
— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) January 25, 2025
Zadorov also had a lot to say about the trade. He hasn’t been a part of the Avs for five years but was still shocked.
“I would’ve never thought Mikko would leave that place. He was a special player for that team, for the organization, for the franchise, for the city, everything. So it was kind of a big surprise for me,” he said. “I thought they would definitely find a way to get a deal done and re-sign and stay there for his whole career. But that’s the part of the game where we’re at. It’s the business side. It sucks.
“I was kind of a little bit speechless last night for sure. ”
MacKinnon didn’t hold back. He wore his heart on his sleeve and shared how he felt. It was an emotional day. Here’s what MacKinnon said.
Bednar also answered questions about the loss of one of the best to ever wear an Avalanche uniform. Rantanen had been there since Bednar took the job.
If you missed it, here’s my analysis from late Friday night. Use promo code Deen10 for 25% off an annual subscription to CHN+ content.
Around the NHL
New Jersey Hockey Now: The Carolina Hurricanes went all in with Rantanen. Will the Devils do the same?
Boston Hockey Now: Catch the Bruins recap of their victory over the Avs.
Vegas Hockey Now: An inside look at what’s been an ice-cold January for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Avalanche Mailbag: Ask Us Anything!
Deen’s Daily: Rantanen Could Move Again; Team Canada Plays Wednesday
Where the Avalanche Line Up at 4 Nations Faceoff
Notebook: Could Mikko Rantanen Actually Get Traded Again?
Deenโs Daily: How Will Four Avalanche Skaters Do at 4 Nations Face-Off?
Avalanche’s Casey Mittelstadt Joins NHL Insider’s Trade Targets Board
Deenโs Daily: Mittelstadt on the Move?; Hartman Suspended 10 Games; Avalanche Reportedly Returning to Comcast
Altitude TV, Comcast End Dispute; Avalanche Games Return to Xfinity
Notebook: Avalanche Should Focus Efforts on Upgrading Defense
Deen’s Daily: Another Avalanche Shutout; Wedgewood Out Day-to-Day; Donato Interest Growing
