A former Bruins player and a soon-to-be Bruins opponent were both involved in a significant three-team trade featuring the Avalanche, Blackhawks, and Hurricanes.
As anticipated, Taylor Hall is once again on the move. Hall, who played parts of three seasons with the Bruins, is heading from Chicago to Carolina. The 33-year-old former No. 1 overall pick was in his second season with the Blackhawks and will become a free agent after this season. Carolina now becomes the seventh team of Hall’s career.
Mikko Rantanen, who was in Boston preparing to face the Bruins on Saturday, was the centerpiece of the trade. The 28-year-old power forward has been stellar this season, tallying 25 goals and 39 assists. However, with the trade announcement, the Bruins won’t face Rantanen and likely won’t see Martin Necas or Jack Drury, who are heading to Colorado as part of the deal.
Necas, a promising Czech forward, and Drury, a reliable defensive fourth-liner, were with the Hurricanes in Long Island for their game against the Islanders. While unlikely, it’s still possible they could make it to Boston in time to suit up for the Avalanche.
According to Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliotte Friedman, the finalized trade details are as follows:
- Carolina: Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall
- Colorado: Martin Necas, Jack Drury
- Chicago: Third-round pick, retains 50% of Rantanen’s salary
This blockbuster deal has immediate implications for all three teams, with Carolina bolstering its offensive firepower and Colorado adding depth and versatility to its lineup. For Chicago, the focus remains on building for the future while managing the salary cap.
