Insider exposes stunning new details about who was really behind the Mikko Rantanen trade in Colorado

However, during the event, Kroenke took a moment to talk about the Avalanche, a rare move, as he typically defers to team president Joe Sakic and general manager Chris MacFarland when it comes to hockey-related matters.

Will Petersen from Denver Sports writes that what Kroenke revealed was a rare behind-the-scenes look at the shocking Mikko Rantanen trade that took place this past January.

The Avalanche dealt Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes, who later flipped him to the Dallas Stars. In a dramatic twist, it was Rantanen's Game 7 hat trick in the first round of the NHL playoffs that brought Colorado's season to an end.

Kroenke's comments about Rantanen came in response to a question about the organizational structure of the Nuggets and other KSE-owned teams. While discussing broader management strategy, he offered insight into the Avalanche's inner workings and the high-profile Rantanen trade.

Moving a player of Rantanen's caliber, a consistent point producer and Stanley cup champion, is the kind of decision that rightfully warrants involvement at the ownership level. So it's reassuring to hear that it did.

Still, this wasn't exactly the kind of revelation anyone expected to come out of a Nuggets press conference. But here we are, and now it's up to Avalanche fans to decide whether this behind-the-scenes makes them feel any better (or worse) about how the Rantanen trade unfolds.

Source:
Denver Sports
Josh Kroenke confirms he was involved in Mikko Rantanen trade