MacKinnon claimed he did not expect “in a million years” that Rantanen would leave the Avs.
He used other words, including startled and sorrowful, to describe the Colorado Avalanche’s trade of Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night. The simplest way to characterize his appearance 18 hours after a “Earth-shifting hockey trade” was astonished.
“Yeah, it was shocking,” MacKinnon acknowledged Saturday afternoon, shortly after the Avs fell 3-1 to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. “It was quite late. It appeared late at night. Just sad.
“I wish I could have discussed this…” Not right now. I’m saddened by the loss, but the greater picture is that we’ve lost Mikko, a truly wonderful friend. Nine, ten years together. Won the Cup. “It’s just sad.”
The Avalanche transferred Rantanen to the Hurricanes in exchange for Martin Necas and Jack Drury, one of the franchise’s largest deals since moving to Colorado. Rantanen is in the final year of his contract and may become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Before Saturday’s game, general manager Chris MacFarland stated two key reasons for the trade: his impending free agency and the Avs’ desire to deepen their roster.
MacKinnon and Cale Makar, the surviving two-thirds of what was the finest “Big Three” in the NHL, as well as their coach, all acknowledged the business side of the sport, stating that they’ve seen other valued teammates depart and are optimistic about the future.
This deal also appeared to shake the franchise’s basis.
“Tough day. “It was a really tough day,” Bednar explained. “You have lost a dear friend, a teammate, and a terrific player. It’s difficult to see.
“I understand the business side of things, and it’s a two-way street, but they weren’t able to get a deal done.” I believe we have some good players who can come in and help us, but it doesn’t make it any easier.”
MacKinnon says he spoke with Makar and captain Gabe Landeskog shortly after the deal. He also chatted on the phone for “close to 20 minutes” with Rantanen, but he is unsure what happened.
In the NHL, deals happen all the time, but they are rarely this big. And seldom the night before a 1 p.m. start. Even veteran players found the entire event weird.
“It’s weird being in the hotel and having a friend traded like that,” Makar told me. “For me, if they can’t get something done, I trust management to put us in a good position to win and to find elements that will help us improve.
“It’s very unfortunate. Losing a guy like Mikko is extremely difficult. A great buddy and teammate, but we need to move on.”
Necas and Drury were able to fly from Long Island, where the Hurricanes are scheduled to face the Islanders on Saturday night, to Boston in time to make their Avs debuts. Rantanen was able to complete the reverse commute and will play for Carolina as well.
The NHL grind never stops for teams to process something like this. And it definitely caught the players off guard.
MacKinnon claimed he had no knowledge that something like this was in the pipeline.
“No. “I’ve just been asking (Rantanen) like is it … it’s just tough,” MacKinnon explained. “You don’t want to get into someone’s business. It’s just hard. I recall when Gabe didn’t sign, it went till the last hour while he was awake. I just assumed it would be the same thing.
“I never expected him to depart. So yeah, it just sucks.”
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