Maple Leafs HC Craig Berube makes honest admission on Mikko Rantanen following Hurricanes trade

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube praised Mikko Rantanen after his trade to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes acquired Rantanen and Taylor Hall in a three-team trade with the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks. Colorado received Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Chicago got a 2025 third-round pick and retained 50 percent of Rantanen’s $9.25 million salary.

"Well, he is a great player, I’ll tell you that," Berube said to the media. "I saw him a lot in Colorado when I was in St. Louis. He is one of the best players in the National Hockey League. Size, strength, scoring ability. a great shot — he has all the tools. It has helped their team."

The Maple Leafs's contracts with Mitch Marner and former captain John Tavares expire after this season, so Rantanen's trade could inspire them to make a bold move.

Mikko Rantanen is 28 and has played 619 games with the Avalanche, recording 681 points (287 goals, 394 assists). This season, he has 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 49 games.

Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland called the trade "bittersweet" and praised Rantanen’s contributions.

“Mikko is a decorated player for us, he’s an elite winger in this league." MacFarland said on Saturday, per NHL.com, "So, it was a tough few days, but we just felt the timing was right, and the last few days it kind of came together...We decided to act yesterday, but it wasn’t without a lot of serious thought, I can assure you of that.”

Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky described him as "one of the premier power forwards in our sport (hockey)."

The reason behind Mikko Rantanen's trade to the Carolina Hurricanes

Mikko Rantanen (96) in action for the Colorado Avalanche in an NHL game. (Credits: IMAGN)

The Colorado Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes because they couldn’t afford his new contract demands.

Rantanen, who has an AAV of $9,250,000, was surprised by the trade and expected contract talks to continue. However, Colorado decided to move him rather than risk losing him for nothing when his contract ends this summer.

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun tweeted on X (formerly Twitter) about Avalanche not matching Rantanen's asking price.

"Rantanen was willing to continue negotiating throughout the season with Colorado. In fact, both sides had more contract talks this past week. Just couldn't find enough common ground. The Avs, in the end, made the calculation they were never going to get there on a number..." LeBrun tweeted.

Mikko Rantanen wanted to stay in Colorado, but the team’s financial situation made it impossible to re-sign him. This trade allows the Colorado Avalanche to gain valuable assets for the future.