Mikko Rantanen Reflects on Emotional Return to Denver After Mid-Season Trades

The former Avalanche star, now with the Dallas Stars, faced mixed fan reactions during his first game back at Ball Arena and looks ahead following his eight-year contract extension.

Mikko Rantanen was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes in January 2025 and later to the Dallas Stars in March 2025, just before the NHL trade deadline.
Rantanen expressed that he never wanted to leave Colorado, where he spent nearly a decade and won a Stanley Cup in 2022, but acknowledged the business nature of the NHL.
During his brief stint with the Hurricanes, Rantanen struggled to perform, recording only 2 goals and 4 assists in 13 games before being traded to Dallas.
In his return to Denver on March 16, 2025, Rantanen received a mix of cheers and boos from fans, reflecting his deep connection to the Avalanche community.
Now a key player for the Stars, Rantanen has signed an eight-year, $96 million contract and has recorded 2 goals and 2 assists in his first 4 games with the team.