NHL insider reveals trading Mikko Rantanen was always part of Colorado's long-term plans
Photo credit: NHL.com
An insider has confirmed that Mikko Rantanen ended up as an unexpected casualty in the Colorado Avalanche's plans to finalize star defenseman Cale Makar's upcoming contract extension.
Although the front office has remained tight-lipped, insiders indicate that Rantanen's departure was not about his on-ice performance or locker-room issues, but entirely driven by looming financial considerations.
Insider reveals trading Mikko Rantanen was always part of Colorado's long-term plans.
Payal Ambegaonker from NewsBreak writes that NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that the Avalanche's move to part ways with Mikko Rantanen was carefully planned.
On 'The FAN Hockey Show,' Friedman suggested that Colorado had been preparing for a possible salary-cap crunch related to star defenseman Cale Makar.
"Colorado's been preparing for this, that's one of the reasons the Rantanen situation unfolded the way it did, is because they were looking into the future at Makar's money." -Friedman
Makar, who inked a six-year, $54 million deal in 2021, is still playing under that contract. However, starting July 1, 2026, he will be eligible for an extension, which could introduce some tricky negotiations.
The Avalanche are taking a long-term approach. With Nathan MacKinnon already on a top-dollar contract and Cale Makar's potential mega-extension looming, the front office had little choice but to make a tough decision.
"Makar's current $9 million cap hit looks like a bargain now, but in two years, that number could nearly double. Colorado, determined to keep its defensive cornerstone while maintaining roster flexibility, opted to move Rantanen before his contract became an obstacle. It wasn't about desire or talent; it was about survival in a tight cap era." -Ambegaonker
Although Avalanche fans may find it hard to swallow, insiders agree that Rantanen's departure wasn't about hockey, it was a salary cap decision made with Cale Makar's future in mind.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 5 | 22 ANSWERS NHL insider reveals trading Mikko Rantanen was always part of Colorado's long-term plans Do you think the Avalanche could have found a solution to keep Mikko Rantanen? | ||
| yes | 15 | 68.2 % |
| no | 7 | 31.8 % |
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