Despite being a fan favorite and a key part of the Avalanche's recent success, the salary-cap reality forced their hand.

Here are three blockbuster Avalanche trade targets in the wake of the stunning Mikko Rantanen trade with the Hurricanes.

Rantanen said he thought talks with the Avs had been productive before the shocking trade to the Canes: "I didn’t know we were in a rush."

Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky is explaining his reasons for pushing for Mikko Rantanen, in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche. Carolina engaged in a trade with the Avalanche, as well as Chicago on Friday. The end result is that Rantanen is now a Hurricane.

The Rangers look to rebound from a disappointing loss to the Avalanche. After facing Martin Necas and Jack Drury with their new team, New York gets to take in Mikko Rantanen on his. The Blueshirts are on the midst of a critical and rough six game stretch leading into the 4 Nations Faceoff.

The Colorado Avalanche has traded Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in one of the most stunning transactions in franchise history.

Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) celebrates with the bench after scoring against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) during the second period of Game 3 of an NHL Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

The Carolina Hurricanes had a big shakeup to their roster last night, adding superstar winger Mikko Rantanen and forward Taylor Hall in exchange for Martin Necas and Jack Drury. The two forward made their way to New York today and are in the lineup for the Canes' 7:30 game against the New York Islanders.

NEW YORK - The sting of losing Mikko Rantanen will wear off a lot quicker ... the new guys stepped up. Jack Drury got the scoring started for both sides, deflecting a Keaton Middleton point ...

Who won Friday night's blockbuster that saw Mikko Rantanen go from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes?

The Edmonton Oilers are a team that has arguably the best offensive weapons in the entire NHL, and they could soon get a whole lot more dangerous. The