Elliotte Friedman reports that money was one significant factor (perhaps the biggest) in the Colorado Avalanche’s decision to trade Mikko Rantanen.

The Colorado Avalanche traded star forward Mikko Rantanen in a three team blockbuster deal tonight, that apparently had some influence from Oilers star Leon Draisaitl.

Will he re-sign in Carolina after this season -- and if not, where else? And what will other contenders do to keep pace ahead of the March 7 deadline?

The Avalanche began the process of moving on with its first win since the deal Sunday afternoon against the Rangers. Drury scored a goal. Necas was dynamic, collecting two assists and hitting both the crossbar and post with shots while playing in Rantanen’s old spot next to MacKinnon.

Rantanen said he thought talks with the Avs had been productive before the shocking trade to the Canes: "I didn’t know we were in a rush."

Chris MacFarland pointed to Rantanen’s pending free agency and the club’s desire to get deeper after three years of being short in that department as reasons for the trade. The NHL’s salary cap ceiling, which is set at $88 million this year but is expected to rise — possibly significantly — in the next couple of seasons is also a factor.

As we creep up on the NHL trade deadline on March 7 more than a few star players are looking to the future for lucrative contract extensions or lest

Mikko Rantanen has been traded to the Hurricanes in recent days. But even though the trade was unexpected, it doesn’t mean he will automatically continue his career in Carolina for the next few years.

On Friday night, the Carolina Hurricanes made a blockbuster deal with the Colorado Avalanche, acquiring Mikko Rantanen in exchange for Martin Necas and Jack Drury.

Rantanen has played in just two games for the Hurricanes since arriving in the three-team trade with the Avs and Chicago Blackhawks. He's registered one point while averaging over 18 minutes of ice time per night. He'll be in the lineup again for Thursday's game against the Blackhawks.

After the Hurricanes shocked the hockey world over the weekend, Mikko Rantanen still may elect for free agency. Would this make the trade not worth what they gave up?