Nathan MacKinnon sounds off on Mikko Rantanen trade.

The Colorado Avalanche shocked their fan base on Friday when they traded away one of their franchise players by dealing forward Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. In fact it wasn't just the fans left stunned by the trade, judging by the reaction of star forward Nathan MacKinnon on Saturday it would seem that the players in the Avalanche locker room were also blindsided by the move.

Following the conclusion of Saturday's afternoon game between the Avalanche and Boston Bruins, Avalanche star forward Nathan MacKinnon was asked to share his feelings on the trade.

"Just sad," said MacKinnon. "Really great friend, 9-10 years together, won a cup, it's just sad."

MacKinnon was clearly floored by the move and struggling to process the loss and his emotions regarding the trade all at once.

"I don't know exactly what happened," admitted MacKinnon. "I called Mikko pretty shortly after and we talked close to 20 minutes. It's just unfortunate losing a great friend [and] great teammate, I'm gonna miss him."

MacKinnon admitted to reporters that he thought Rantanen would eventually sign a new deal and things would continue moving forward as they always have.

"Even when [Gabriel Landeskog] didn't sign it went to the last hour... so I just assumed it would kinda be the same thing," admitted MacKinnon. "I never thought in a million years he would leave."

It seems fair to suggest that MacKinnon is not happy about this deal being made.

"It just sucks," said MacKinnon.

And that feeling may extend to the rest of the team as well, with MacKinnon indicating that he isn't the only one reeling from the major trade.

"I think a lot of the guys are just shocked," said MacKinnon. "It's pretty crazy someone like that getting traded right now... he's a big part of our team, our culture. He's been here from the dog days to all the way until now and has helped grow this organization into a Stanley Cup winner and a being a contender every season a big reason why is because of him."

MacKinnon seemed almost at a loss for words.

"I don't know exactly what happened," reiterated MacKinnon. "I just know I'm gonna miss him. It's gonna be tough."

Only time will tell how this trade will impact the Avalanche's locker room, as Rantanen appears to have been beloved by his teammates.