Weekend rankings: The Mikko Rantanen blockbuster shakes up the league

The word “blockbuster” gets thrown around a little too often in today’s NHL, often for trades unworthy of the term, in the same way that anything might feel like a five-star meal to a starving man. But the deal that dropped on Friday night? That one deserves the title, no questions asked.

First, the details if you somehow missed them:

Trade official:
Colorado trades Mikko Rantanen to Chicago in return for UDC Nils Juntorp
Chicago trades Mikko Rantanen (50% retained) and Taylor Hall to Carolina in return for Chicago’s own 2025 3rd round draft pick
Carolina trades Martin Necas, Jack Drury, Carolina’s own 2025…

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 25, 2025

There’s a lot there to unpack, but the basics are jaw-dropping enough on their own: The Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen. And the Hurricanes gave up Martin Necas to get him.

Let’s get into it.

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