The dramatic trade involving Mikko Rantanen last Friday has definitely shaken up the NHL, but the burning question now is: how will it impact the trade deadline as we approach March 7? Will it cause a ripple effect across the league, or will teams stick to their original plans? While many expected this deal to ignite some serious activity around the league, it seems that for most teams, it’s business as usual.
In the aftermath of Colorado's surprising move, which saw them ship Rantanen—arguably one of their most valuable players—to the Carolina Hurricanes, it's clear that the trade deadline may not see the massive shakeup some predicted. According to reports from The Athletic, general managers from around the NHL are taking a wait-and-see approach. They don’t expect Rantanen’s departure to cause much of a stir in the trade market. While the Avalanche’s decision certainly raised some eyebrows, it seems that many teams are sticking to their plans, unaffected by the move.
For Tom Fitzgerald, the president of hockey operations and general manager of the New Jersey Devils, this trade doesn’t change his approach one bit. "For us, it doesn't change anything," Fitzgerald said, showing no signs of panic in his response. "We go through a process on evaluating our team and identify the areas where we want to improve. We want to be intentional on adding the right piece or pieces while being cognizant of the cost and our future." It’s a smart, measured approach that many other teams appear to be adopting as well. Rather than making a knee-jerk reaction, teams are sticking with their plans, ensuring that any additions to their rosters are made with long-term goals in mind.
The trade itself was one of the most unexpected moves in recent memory. Colorado, who had been holding onto Rantanen as one of their key players, decided to trade him to the Hurricanes in exchange for forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury. The Avalanche also sent Taylor Hall to Carolina, while retaining 50% of Rantanen’s $9.25 million salary. This move raised a lot of questions, especially considering Rantanen's contract is set to expire at the end of this season, making him an unrestricted free agent. Instead of negotiating an extension with their star player, the Avalanche opted for a trade that many saw as a panic move.
Despite the unexpected nature of this deal, many teams are standing firm, refusing to be swayed by Colorado's decision. As Bill Zito, the president of hockey operations and GM of the Florida Panthers, explained, the trade doesn’t change his plans in the slightest. "We’ve spent the entire season on it: you look at your assets, you look at your standings, you look at your projections, you have your plan, and my plan is to put together the best possible team we can," Zito said. "I can't get a better team now than I could a week ago, right?" It’s a simple but powerful message: teams will continue with their original plans, no matter what other teams are doing. Keeping up with the Joneses is not a priority in the NHL; it's all about sticking to your own strategy.
The Washington Capitals, currently sitting pretty atop the Metropolitan Division with 73 points, share the same sentiment. "It doesn’t really change anything for us," said Chris Patrick, GM of the Capitals. With the Hurricanes nipping at their heels, sitting seven points behind them in second place, one might expect Washington to consider making some moves in response. But Patrick remained unfazed. "We will follow the same process we always do at this time of year, and if there are opportunities to improve our team, we will pursue them." It’s another example of a team that isn’t rushing to make moves simply because others are doing so. They’re sticking to their approach, which has clearly been working so far.
Ultimately, the trade involving Rantanen highlights an interesting divide in the NHL. While the Hurricanes have certainly benefited from Colorado’s decision, the rest of the league seems to be carrying on as usual. For teams like the Devils, Panthers, and Capitals, it’s business as usual. They’ve already done their homework, analyzed their rosters, and identified where they need to improve. If opportunities arise, they’ll make moves, but they’re not about to let one trade dictate their entire strategy.
Colorado’s decision also speaks to a larger issue: managing cap space and making long-term decisions. The move to trade Rantanen, rather than negotiating an extension, reflects the Avalanche’s focus on their future and their cap situation. It’s a bold move, and one that shows they’re thinking beyond this season. For many other teams, however, it’s a reminder that every decision made must align with their long-term goals, especially as the trade deadline looms closer.
At the end of the day, what this trade shows us is that the NHL’s trade market may not be as volatile as some expected. While the Rantanen deal certainly made waves, the reaction from teams around the league has been relatively calm. General managers are sticking to their plans, not getting distracted by what other teams are doing. As the trade deadline approaches, it seems that most teams will continue evaluating their needs and making moves only when it makes sense for their roster and their future.
So, while Colorado may have made a splash with their trade, it appears that for most teams, the deadline will come and go without major changes. After all, the NHL is all about strategy, long-term planning, and staying true to your vision. Teams won’t let one trade dictate their future—at least, not yet. Whether this will lead to a quiet deadline or a few last-minute surprises remains to be seen, but for now, it looks like the league is standing firm.
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