The trade saw the Avalanche send Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and two future draft picks (a 2025 second-rounder and a 2026 third-rounder). The Hurricanes also added Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks, with Chicago retaining 50% of Hall’s salary while securing a 2025 third-round pick.
Necas, signed to a 2-year, $13 million contract, has already shown flashes of brilliance in his first two games with Colorado. The forward notched two points and three shots on goal in the Avalanche’s thrilling 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers on Sunday.
MacKinnon Weighs in on Necas’s Impact
Following the win, MacKinnon offered his honest perspective on the adjustment to playing alongside Necas, acknowledging the stark contrast between him and Rantanen.
“He’s a completely different player,” MacKinnon shared. “Definitely an adjustment. It is weird, for sure. I’ve mostly played with two lefties my whole career, so it’ll take some time getting used to, but I thought these two games, we played really well.”
MacKinnon, however, was quick to highlight Necas’s adaptability and composure under pressure.
“I thought he’s been awesome. I mean, he said he went to bed at like 3 a.m. after he got traded, and he’s playing a one o’clock game. Pretty quick turnaround for him,” MacKinnon said. “With those circumstances, he still looked unreal. The plays he made tonight with speed—he’s a great passer. He had two or three posts tonight, so he was everywhere. It’s fun to play with him, for sure.”
Necas Brings Speed and Skill
The excitement around Necas is well-founded. Known for his speed and creativity, he has already racked up 41 assists and 57 points in 51 games this season. His ability to make plays and generate scoring opportunities gives Colorado an edge as they aim to regain momentum in a competitive season.
A Much-Needed Win for Colorado
Sunday’s victory over the Rangers marked a critical turning point for the Avalanche, who had been reeling after three consecutive losses. Goals from Cale Makar (2), Jack Drury, Artturi Lehkonen, and Juuso Parssinen helped seal the win, while goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 33 shots to keep the Avalanche afloat.
MacKinnon acknowledged the importance of the victory, particularly given the team’s recent struggles.
“It was big just with the changes to get a win,” he said. “I think we were pretty dead. That was a tough back-to-back, early mornings right away. They definitely took over in the second half of that game. I thought we had a great start, but [it] was an awesome and unreal game by Cale.”
Looking Ahead
As the Avalanche adapt to life without Rantanen, Necas seems poised to fill the void with his dynamic playmaking abilities. While there’s an adjustment period, the chemistry between Necas and MacKinnon shows promise.
For Avalanche fans, the trade represents a leap into uncharted territory. But with Necas already making waves, this bold move could pay off in a big way.
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