By ETT Carolina Hurricanes Acquire Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall
The Carolina Hurricanes shook up the NHL landscape on Friday with a blockbuster three-team trade that brought forwards Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to Raleigh.
Rantanen, a 28-year-old Finnish winger, has been a key player for the Colorado Avalanche since being drafted 10th overall in 2015. He has 681 points in 619 career games, including helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Hall, a 33-year-old Canadian winger, is a former Hart Trophy winner who has played for several teams throughout his career. He has 721 points in 878 career games.
The Hurricanes gave up forwards Jack Drury and Martin Necas, along with draft picks, to acquire Rantanen and Hall. The Blackhawks, who acquired Rantanen from the Avalanche, will retain 50% of his salary.
Carolina general manager Eric Tulsky praised the additions of Rantanen and Hall, saying they will bring skill and experience to the team.
Mikko Rantanen: A Dynamic Scoring Threat
Rantanen is one of the most dangerous scorers in the NHL. He has a knack for finding the back of the net, and he can also set up his teammates with ease.
Rantanen has consistently put up impressive numbers throughout his career. In 2022-23, he had 64 points in 49 games, which was second on the Avalanche behind Nathan MacKinnon.
Rantanen is also a valuable contributor in the playoffs. He has 101 points in 81 career playoff games, including 25 points during the Avalanche’s Cup run in 2022.
Taylor Hall: A Versatile Playmaker
Hall is a versatile forward who can play both wings. He is a skilled playmaker who can create scoring chances for himself and his teammates.
Hall is also a dangerous scorer. He has 275 goals in his career, and he has averaged over 20 goals per season in the past three seasons.
Hall is a valuable addition to the Hurricanes, and he should help them become a contender in the Eastern Conference.
The Hurricanes’ Playoff Hopes
The Hurricanes have made the playoffs in six straight seasons, but they have not yet reached the Stanley Cup Final.
With the additions of Rantanen and Hall, the Hurricanes have a much better chance of making a deep playoff run this season. They now have a dynamic offense that can score goals from all over the ice.
The Hurricanes will need to be strong defensively in order to compete for the Stanley Cup, but they have the pieces in place to be a contender.
The Hurricanes will play their next game on Saturday against the New York Islanders. It is unclear if Rantanen or Hall will be in the lineup for that game.