Paul Bissonnette calls out Avalanche for questionable decision before Mikko Rantanen trade

Paul Bissonnette has called out the Colorado Avalanche for a controversial decision prior to the Mikko Rantanen trade in the latest "Spittin' Chiclets" episode.

The trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes surprised many people, including the player himself. He was ready to take a significant discount to remain in Colorado, but ended up being traded nonetheless.

He confirmed that fact in a recent interview:

"I was ready to take a significant discount from my market value. We had some chats a couple days before and then they traded me. That's what happened. That's why I didn't expect it.

"I only had a sniff because he called me, not before that. I had no idea. It's surprising, for sure."

It was hard to understand what went through the Avs' management team minds, especially after GM Chris MacFarland made the following declaration to explain the trade:

"It's a bittersweet day. Mikko is a decorated player for us, he is an elite winger in this league, it was a tough few days but we just felt the timing was right. The last few days it kind of came together and it wasn't without a lot of serious thought I can assure you that.

"It hurts, right? He's a homegrown talent, a superstar talent, a superstar human being. But that's sports. Your heartstrings get tugged. That's why we all do this."

Then, Paul Bissonnette revealed another surprising detail in the latest "Spittin' Chiclets" episode, saying that he didn't understand why management didn't try to work something out, and why Nathan MacKinnon wasn't consulted:

"I was jaw dropped at the fact that they didn't try to work something out. They didn't consult Nathan MacKinnon, (Jared) Bednar was shocked. Every single player in the Colorado Avalanche locker room was shocked...

"And the fact that they didn't consult him is mind boggling to me, because I don't think that Nathan MacKinnon would have had an issue with his winger making a little bit more than him."

Listen to the full podcast episode here: