Avalanche GM sends strong message to Wake by trading away Mikko Rantanen

General director Colorado Avalanche He wants fans and the NHL to know that his club remains strong after dealing with Mikko Rantanen. The Avalanche dealt Rantanen Friday to Carolinaas part of a three-team trade that also included Chicago.

Colorado got some pieces in return, including former Hurricanes Drury and Martin Necas. The Avalanche also acquired two upcoming NHL draft picks, u Second and fourth rounds.

“We all are,” Avalanche general manager Chris Macfarland said, per the Athletics. “Mikko is obviously a horse. He does things differently than Marty. Marty will set up points and now we have more cap space. We will continue to try to use that.”

It will be a tough sell to convince Avalanche fans this was the right move. Rantanen was in many ways the face of the franchise, helping the club win the Stanley Cup in 2022. Rantanen also posted 287 career goals, all in Colorado. Rumors were flying that he wanted to work on a way to stay with the Avalanche.

The Avalanche are 28-20-2 this season. Colorado is in fourth place in the Central Division of the Western Conference.

The avalanche must move forward

Colorado clearly had a star in Rantanen, and now the club must look for a new star. With the forward gone, Drury and Necas have to pick up some of them offensively.

Another player The Avalanche will have to rely on Nathan MackinnonKo admitted he was surprised by the trade. Mackinnon leads the club in points this season with 75. Necas is actually second on the team, despite only joining the Hurricanes.

Avalanche GM Macfarland understands there there may be some growing painshow special Rantanen was.

“You’ve lost a superstar and we’re going to have to try to replace him in the aggregate — 50-goal scorers don’t grow on trees,” Macfarland said, according to ABC 11 News. “You usually have to build and develop them. MIKKO has been a home for us for many, many years.”

Macfarland is assuring Avalanche fans that the team didn’t just make a move on impulse. He is Looking for fans to have some faith in the management of the franchise.

“We decided to act yesterday, but it wasn’t without a lot of serious thought, I can assure you of that,” he added Saturday, per NHL.com.

Colorado Sunday plays against the New York Rangers on Sunday. Puck drops at 1:00 ET. Avalanche fans clearly hope that the new guys will help the team to victory.