As pundits and fans weigh the consequences, the Rantanen trade had an immediate effect on the NHL trade market.
Related: Three Big Things the NHL’s Mega Mikko Rantanen Trade Tells Us
Patrick Johnston of The province quoted TSN’s Pierre LeBrun as saying the Vancouver Canucks were close to completing a trade with the Hurricanes before the latter opted to acquire Rantanen. Johnston believes it must involve Canucks center Elias Pettersson given the Hurricanes gave up forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury as well as two draft picks for Rantanen. He also noted that the Hurricanes considered acquiring Pettersson last year before he signed his contract extension.
Adam Kierszenblat of Hockey News cited Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK-TV reporting that the Canucks asked about Necas during discussions involving JT Miller. However, the Hurricanes refused and sent Necas to the Avalanche.
Sam Keeler The Denver Post was disappointed with the return the Avalanche received in this deal. If the Avalanche don’t plan to make a big move to replace Rantanen before the NHL trade deadline on March 7, Keeler believes they’ll be waving the white flag this season.
During Saturday 32 thoughts During intermission on Hockey Night in Canada, host Ron MacLean asked Elliotte Friedman if the Avalanche could acquire Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.
Crosby’s name surfaced in the wake of the Rantanen trade after Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff posted a tweet quoting an “impeccable source” as saying the deal wasn’t the most important thing on the table during the previous 48 hours.
Acquiring Crosby would bring him closer to Avs center Nathan MacKinnon, his fellow Cole Harbour, N.S., native and off-season training buddy. However, Friedman doesn’t anticipate that happening, likely because Crosby has a full no-move clause and signed a two-year contract extension last year.
Related: Opinion: Evgeni Malkin staying with the Penguins is like Mats Sundin staying with the Maple Leafs
Friedman also mentioned that some observers were wondering how the Rantanen trade might affect Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Adam Proteau of Hockey News believes Marner could get a king’s ransom if the Leafs make him available before the deadline.
Like Rantanen, Marner is UFA eligible on July 1. Friedman pointed out that Marner had a complete no-move clause while Rantanen had a partial no-trade clause. Proteau believes he will re-sign with the Leafs.
Meanwhile, Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky told LeBrun he hopes to sign Rantanen to a long-term contract extension. The Hurricanes are the only club that can sign him to an eight-year deal, as he will get seven on the open market. Tulsky also did not rule out making a new move to improve his club before March 7.
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