Mikko Rantanen is getting traded in a complex three-way deal!

This is a generational trade. 

The Colorado Avalanche have stunned everyone on Friday night, reportedly trading star forward Mikko Rantanen in a complex three-way deal. Per insider Frank Seravalli: 

“Sources tell Daily Faceoff that the Avalanche are in the process of trading Mikko Rantanen to the Hurricanes.

“Sounds like this is a complex three-way deal and I believe Taylor Hall is also involved in the deal going to Carolina from Chicago.”

It is believed that Martin Necas is part of the return going to Denver, while it is also reported that the Chicago Blackhawks are in the deal, sending Taylor Hall to Carolina as well. 

Rantanen is eligible for UFA status on July 1. He's in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $9.5 million. For now, there is no extension for Rantanen as part of the deal, per Elliotte Friedman. 

It had been believed the Rantanen camp was seeking something comparable to the $14 million average annual value that the Edmonton Oilers will pay Leon Draisaitl starting on July 1. The Avalanche wanted him to accept something closer to teammate Nathan MacKinnon's $12.6 million. There were recent rumours that Colorado was having a hard time in contract negotiations, which obviously led to the Avalanche moving the pending free agent. 

It was believed that the Avalanche weren’t shopping Rantanen as the two sides intended to revisit contract talks following next month’s 4 Nations Face-Off, but the move is taking EVERYONE by surprise.

Full details are coming soon in a complex trade call that has not yet been conducted yet.