Whether you doom scrolled through X, watched a game, or enjoyed a Happy Meal like any self-respecting adult, I think we all remember the details of that day one year ago a little more clearly than we’d like to admit.
On January 24, 2025, the Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and Chicago Blackhawks engaged in a three-way trade. After a back-and-forth of picks, prospects, players, and salaries spread around, the Hurricanes bid farewell to Martin Necas and Jack Drury as they welcomed in Taylor Hall and Mikko Rantanen. As we know, that was a brief cup of coffee for Rantanen. Just one month after his arrival, he was shipped to the Dallas Stars for Logan Stankoven at the trade deadline. But, one year after the ink hit the contracts and lives went on…who actually won?
What Did the Carolina Hurricanes Gain?
The loud arrival of Rantanen in Carolina overshadowed the quiet additions of Hall and prospect Nils Juntorp, as all eyes locked onto how the Hurricanes would perform with the superstar right wing. Rantanen, unable to play the Hurricanes brand of hockey and unhappy with the destination, put up a shockingly low six points (2G, 4A) in his 13-game tenure.
However, Hall, and later Stankoven, brought much more to the table than initially expected. Both players earned their keep, signing significant extensions before even playing a full season in Carolina. With the deals, the Hurricanes acquired a highly versatile forward (and former Hart Trophy-winner), as well as the second-line centerman they needed.
Essentially, the Hurricanes converted a middle-six winger on a short contract and a fourth-line centerman into a well-experienced winger with grit, a youthful second-line centerman, two first round picks, and a prospect.
What Did the Colorado Avalanche Gain?
The Avalanche were frequently remarked as being the team that ‘lost the trade’ after their first-round elimination. However, since they embarked onto their latest campaign, those declarations quietened.
Riding into battle alongside Nathan MacKinnon, Necas filled the void that Rantanen left exceptionally well. Currently, he is playing the best he ever has in his career, projected to notch his first 100+ point, 30+ goal season.
Of course, the Avalanche did not just cover the loss of Rantanen, but scored a depth bonus with the addition of Drury, who became the centerman for the third line. He, too, has played great hockey with the Avalanche, and has earned the most average ice time of his career this season.
The Avalanche were able to convert a high-skill, high-money winger with an expiring contract into a skilled and cost-effective winger, a solid bottom-six centerman, and two draft picks.
What Did the Dallas Stars Gain?
Out of the three teams to receive players, the Stars were the team that lost the most assets. To acquire Rantanen from the Hurricanes, they sent away a talented young forward with significant potential in Stankoven, and four draft picks – two of which were first rounders.
However, in return, they got a superstar winger on pace for another 100+ point season, on a contract with term, and whose physicality and size fits well into the coaching style.
And the Winner Is…
After careful analysis, it appears that the winner of the trade is…everyone (almost). The Hurricanes and Avalanche turned contract dilemmas into significant gains, while the Stars made off with the actual superstar Rantanen.
However, if there is one thing that can be agreed on, it is that the quote unquote ‘loser of the trade’ was the Blackhawks, who lost a prospect and a roster player for a mid-round pick and a bill to help keep them off the salary cap floor. You win some, you lose some.
