Mikko Rantanen has spoken out about what transpired behind the scenes and how shocked he was by the Colorado Avalanche’s unexpected midseason trade to the Carolina Hurricanes, which took place just days ago. Rantanen discussed his feelings on the trade, his contract negotiations with the Avalanche, and his new beginning in Carolina in an interview with Peter Baugh of The Athletic on Monday. The most intriguing was when Rantanen acknowledged that he was “ready to take a significant discount” to remain in Colorado, as Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic first claimed.
“I was ready to take a significant discount from my market value,” Rantanen stated. “A few days prior, we had some conversations before they traded me. That’s what occurred. I didn’t anticipate it because of this.
The Avalanche dealt Rantanen to Carolina on Friday, receiving Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and draft picks in return. Colorado promptly lost to the Bruins in the Avs’ first game without the winger in their lineup.
Rantanen said that he “had a sniff that something might be happening” after Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland gave him a phone call while at a hotel in Boston. Only then, he knew. “I only had a sniff because he called me, not before that,” Rantanen said. “I had no idea. It’s surprising, for sure.” With Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million cap hit and Cale Makar’s future extension looming, the Avalanche faced tough financial decisions and ultimately decided to trade Rantanen ahead of the deadline instead of risking losing him for nothing next July.
MacFarland explained his thought process before the 3-1 loss to the Bruins, as reported by ESPN. “You feel that you do what’s best for the logo and best for the team,” MacFarland said. “It hurts, but you’ve got to make these hard decisions.
Rantanen acknowledged the team’s business interests, but he would not provide precise numbers about his conversations with the Avs. “I didn’t know we were in a rush,” Rantanen remarked. “But I understand that it’s business. They’re trying to think what’s best for them.”
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