Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Sakic Breaks His Silence on Rantanen Trade After Avalanche's Crushing Exit

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 8, 2025 10:20 AM ET

The Avalanche made a shocking Mikko Rantanen trade this year, and now President Joe Sakic has reacted to the trade following their elimination.

The Colorado Avalanche once again flamed out in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and this time, it was much, much more painful, as it was former Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen that ended their season with a hat-trick and a four point game in Game 7 to clinch the series for the Dallas Stars.

After the heartbreak, there has been immense criticism of not only that deal, but the Avalanche roster construction in general, and now, President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic has defende the move, even after the electric Game 7 from Rantanen ended the series and their season.

'Just paying three high end guys and not having a surrounding cast wasn't gonna get it done.'

Based on those comments, it appears as though the deal is something that Sakic and General Manager Chris MacFarland would do again, as they found much more balance with the addition of Martin Necas and Jack Drury, but ultimately, it was Rantanen that had the last laugh this season.

The rivalry will continue on however, and if the Avalanche had known that Rantanen would get traded to the Stars after sending him East, but without that knowledge, the front office appears to be defending the move.

Ultimately, it was a risk worth taking for the Avalanche given that Rantanen could have walked for nothing in free agency, and while it looks bad right now, Sakic can't be blamed for his thought process on the move, as it could pay off down the line for the Avalanche.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: