Exploring why the Mikko Rantanen trade is better for the Colorado Avalanche
Now that the dust has settled and emotions are out of the picture...
by Alec Smith
Now that the dust has settled and emotions are out of the picture in regards to the blockbuster three team trade that included Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes for Martin Necas to headline the deal, we can look at why this was absolutely the right decision for the Colorado Avalanche.
First, and most importantly, Mikko Rantanens contract extension. Rantanen is nearing the end of his current contract which sees him making 9.25 million dollars per year which is among the top 5 in his position. It was reported that Rantanen was looking at 14 million dollars per year which would put Colorado in a tough position in terms of who to keep if they were to pay Rantanen the 14 million he was asking for.
Next, Rantanen isn't getting any younger. At 27 years old, Rantanen is looking to cash in big before he gets over the hill on his career. Necas, who came in return for Rantanen is three years younger, still has one year left after the conclusion of this season, and only makes 6.5 million dollars per year. Necas is also a one for one switch with Rantanen, playing the same position and offering valuable first line minutes for a Colorado team that has needed a spark that Necas has seemed to provide.
Lastly, it's a business. At the end of the day, Rantanen was not going to get the 14 million from Colorado at the end of the year. It sucks, especially for the Avalanche fans who have seen Rantanen play a pivotal role in the success Colorado has enjoyed over the last five years but Sakic, current Colorado general manager, said publicly that they weren't going to extend Rantanen for anywhere near 14 million dollars so they got what they could for him before he left for nothing.
Alec is a passionate sports journalist specializing in NFL coverage. With a deep knowledge of the game and a dedication to uncovering compelling stories, Alec delivers insightful analysis and engaging features that bring fans closer to the action. When not covering the latest games and breaking news, Alec enjoys connecting with readers and exploring the human side of sports.