The Carolina Hurricanes are making a bold move.

On Friday night, Carolina secured two-time 40-goal scorer and Stanley Cup winner Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche, along with former NHL MVP Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks in a significant trade.

In return, Colorado received Martin Necas, Jack Drury from Carolina, as well as a second- and fourth-round pick. Meanwhile, Chicago received a third-round pick, assisting in the transaction by retaining 50% of Rantanen’s salary.

Trade Evaluation for Carolina Hurricanes

Grade: B+

For the Hurricanes, acquiring Rantanen is about enhancing their potential.

At 28 years old, Rantanen has been among the most effective wingers in the NHL, boasting back-to-back seasons with 40 goals and 100 points—including an impressive 55 goals in the 2022-23 season—and contributing to the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022. He is also set to become a free agent, suggesting his next contract could exceed his current average of $9.25 million.

Ideally, the Hurricanes will work out a contract extension with Rantanen. The uncertainty regarding this extension is the sole factor preventing this trade from receiving an A grade. In the worst-case scenario, this could mirror last year’s Jake Guentzel trade, but on a larger scale.

Even if an extension isn’t achieved, Rantanen is a game-changing talent who could provide the boost Carolina needs. The Hurricanes have been on the cusp of success for years—they haven’t reached the Stanley Cup Final in 19 years, with two conference finals and three second-round exits since 2019.

Though Taylor Hall, 33, may not be at the same level he was during his MVP season in 2018, he remains a valuable depth player and is likely to increase his point production on a vastly improved team.

Trade Evaluation for Colorado Avalanche

Grade: C+

This trade appears to suggest that Rantanen and the Avalanche could not find a shared vision for the future. Colorado is already home to one of the highest-paid players, MVP Nathan MacKinnon, who earns $12.6 million on average, and it’s likely that defenseman Cale Makar will surpass the $10 million per year mark following his contract expiration after the 2026-27 season.

While losing a key player like Rantanen is always difficult, Colorado’s acquisition of Necas helps mitigate the loss. Necas, 26, is currently the leading scorer for the Hurricanes, with 55 points in 49 games, and has one more year left on a favorable contract ($6.5 million average annual value).

Drury, 24, represents a young asset that the team can control. Plus, gaining draft picks is always a positive addition.

NHL insider Chris Johnston mentions that “more changes are expected in Colorado.”

Trade Evaluation for Chicago Blackhawks

Grade: C

There’s not much excitement here. One of the league’s weakest teams trades away Hall and gains a pick to facilitate the transaction. This is a common situation for a team in the rebuilding phase, already looking towards the draft.