Elliotte Friedman reports that money was one significant factor (perhaps the biggest) in the Colorado Avalanche’s decision to trade Mikko Rantanen.

The Colorado Avalanche traded star forward Mikko Rantanen in a three team blockbuster deal tonight, that apparently had some influence from Oilers star Leon Draisaitl.

The Avalanche began the process of moving on with its first win since the deal Sunday afternoon against the Rangers. Drury scored a goal. Necas was dynamic, collecting two assists and hitting both the crossbar and post with shots while playing in Rantanen’s old spot next to MacKinnon.

Will he re-sign in Carolina after this season -- and if not, where else? And what will other contenders do to keep pace ahead of the March 7 deadline?

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."

After the shocking blockbuster deal that shipped Mikko Rantanen out of Colorado, he broke silence on his view.

Carolina can re-sign Rantanen and maintain a formidable supporting cast around him, which might have been tough for Colorado.

There were many teams that were shocked that the Colorado Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. One