While everyone is talking about Mitch Marner and John Tavares with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the other member of the “Big Three” free agents this summer is Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche.  Like the others listed above,
Some reports have Avalanche star winger Mikko Rantanen being traded this season. But Adam Proteau says it's far more likely that Rantanen stays with the Avs for quite some time.
The Edmonton Oilers are in town for a Western Conference matchup as the Colorado Avalanche continue their five-game homestand. The Oilers will play their second game of a back-to-back tonight after taking a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Wild.
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar had a blunt, one-word summation after his team rallied for a 3-2 overtime win against the New York Rangers, calling it “unimpressive.”
According to PuckPedia, MacKinnon's cap hit of $12.6 million took 15.09% of the Avalanche's salary cap. If Rantanen signs for a slightly lower percentage of 15% under the new cap, expected to reach $92.4 million, he'd already earn $13.86 million per season and easily top MacKinnon's salary.
Despite Blackwood's incredible play, the Avs have been scuffling in the new year. They've gone 4-2-1 in 2025, alternating wins and losses as their offence has started to dry up. Contrast that with the Oilers, who have won seven of their past eight, including two shutouts from Stuart Skinner and five four-goal nights from the offence.