"Avs making room for Crosby?": NHL fans react to Mikko Rantanen blockbuster trade to Carolina Hurricanes involving 3 teams

Fans reacted as the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche completed a massive three-team trade involving star winger Mikko Rantanen, per insider Frank Seravalli.

The Hurricanes acquired Rantanen from the Avalanche and forward Taylor Hall from the Blackhawks. In exchange, the Avalanche received Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick from Carolina.

The Blackhawks got back their own 2025 third-round pick from Carolina and retained 50% of Rantanen’s salary.

The trade sparked plenty of reaction on social media, with one fan speculating the Avalanche may be clearing cap space to potentially make a run at Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby:

"Any truth to the Avs making room for Crosby???

Another fan wrote:

"Rantanen is worth it. 100-point player every year since 2021. Aho hasn’t hit 100 points yet… imagine them together long term… deal will only be worth it if he resigns a long-term contract in the off season though" on X.

Here are some fan reactions:

"What a massive, massive, enormous win for the Canes. My god." one fan wrote.

"seems a little underwhelming on the Hawks side. They only get a 3rd round pick for Hall, ( their own ) and end up paying half of Rantanen's salary. which must be close to what Hall was making" another fan wrote.

"Both teams filled their current checkboxes. Is it a win-win deal?" a user commented.

"Love the play by Carolina. Finally getting a big name star to get over the hump" another user wrote.

Mikko Rantanen is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He led the Avalanche with 25 goals and has 64 points in 49 games this season.

NHL analyst Chris Johnston weighs in on Mikko Rantanen trade

NHL analyst Chris Johnston reported that the Colorado Avalanche weren't able to secure a contract extension with Mikko Rantanen. So, they made the strategic decision to trade him rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency.

"Once the #Avs determined they weren't able to extend Mikko Rantanen, they decided to capitalize on his minimal trade protection to avoid losing him for nothing. In addition to getting Necas/Drury/2nd/4th, they've freed up cap space. More to come in Colorado."Johnston said.

Importantly, the trade also frees up valuable salary cap space for the Avalanche, giving them flexibility to potentially make further moves.