Rantanen notched an assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Oilers.

The trade that saw the superstar dealt to Carolina sent shockwaves through the league and up and down the Colorado franchise.

On Friday night the hockey world came to a grinding halt, and not because of anything going on during an unusually robust four-game slate of games. The

The Carolina Hurricanes executed a bombshell three-team trade on Friday evening, adding Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen and Chicago

To say the new guys, Martin Necas and Jack Drury, were worth the trade of Mikko Rantanen is way too soon, and I would never. But, we have to look to the future because what’s done is done and there are still 31 games to be played.

Jared Bednar has been known to rely heavily on his top forwards, often overplaying the top line to the point where some nights you wouldn't know the Avalanche were even dressing 12 forwards. That was not the case in Sunday's 5-4 win over the New York Rangers.

I didn’t think this would need to be updated so quickly. But when a historic mid-season trade between two contenders (and Chicago) breaks on a Friday night, things change.

Miles Wood has more history with Mackenzie Blackwood than any other member of the Colorado Avalanche. They were teammates for part of one season in the AHL and five years in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils. They’ve been two of the best golfers on every team they’ve played on.

Forward Valeri Nichushkin suffered a setback in his return from a lower-body injury and doesn't figure to be back in the Colorado Avalanche lineup anytime soon. Colorado coach Jared Bednar described Nichushkin's status on Wednesday as “week-to-week.”

Mikko Rantanan and Logan O'Connor also each had a goal and an assist ... MacKinnon fed a pass into the slot on a 2-on-2 rush. Rantanen converted on a wrist shot past a screened Gustavsson for ...

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Edmonton Oilers center Jeff Skinner, center, struggles to control the puck while driving to the net between Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan O’Connor ... Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) passes the puck ...

The Avalanche lost 4-3 to the Edmonton Oilers at Ball Arena on Thursday. Nathan MacKinnon scored his 16th and 17th goals of the season, Logan O'Connor posted his sixth tally of the year, while Mikko Rantanen, Joel Kiviranta, Calvin de Haan, Jonathan Drouin and Devon Toews each record an assist.