Deen’s View: MacFarland Gambled on Rantanen Trade; Should Pay with Job (+)

The Avalanche woke up Sunday morning with their season already over in the first round. They woke up after losing yet another Game 7 to the Dallas Stars in a game where they led 2-0 with just over 12 minutes remaining.

They woke up knowing that Mikko Rantanen, the guy they traded away exactly 100 days ago, had a historic third period and scored a hat trick to sink them. The same Rantanen who scored their only goal in the 2-1 loss that eliminated them last year. The same Rantanen that had the only goal in their last Game 7 loss, a 2-1 final against the Seattle Kraken in 2023.

The same Rantanen, the superstar winger, whom they traded away against his will. Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland gambled when he shipped him off to Carolina without warning. He chose the element of surprise, not letting Rantanen or his core know this was coming, rather than negotiating a deal to trade him somewhere where he’d lock in a contract upon arrival.