Rangers' Peter Laviolette Makes Shocking Statement on Divisional Rivals Three-Way Trade
The New York Rangers divisional rivals made a huge move by trading for Mikko Rantanen, and Taylor Halllast night. The move was intended to push them into Stanley Cup contention. Does Peter Laviolette fear the Canes and Avalanche?
The New York Rangers Head Coach Peter Laviolette was asked about the Carolina Hurricanes latest trade.
The move was a complex, three-way deal. The Hurricanes traded Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 2nd-round draft pick, and a 2026 4th-round draft pick to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Taylor Hall, and Mikko Rantanen.
The third team involved was the Chicago Blackhawks who retained half of Rantanen's salary and received a 2025 3rd-round draft pick, and prospect Nils Juntorp.
Colorado received forwards Jack Drury and Martin Necas, a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from Carolina, which acquired Chicago forward prospect Nils Juntorp.
Chicago acquired a third-round pick in the 2025 Draft from Carolina. The Blackhawks will also retain 50 percent of Rantanen's $9.25 million salary.
The Carolina Hurricanes have just strengthened their top-six, and bottom depth with the addition of Hall.
What did Peter Laviolette think about it?
Well, the Rangers will have to face both teams in upcoming games, and he had a cut-and-dry answer about, facing Martin Necas in Colorado, and Mikko Rantanen in Carolina. "We'd have to face them either way."
This is honestly, the best way of approaching the games. Treat them no differently, and continue on the path you're moving. In the last eleven games, the Rangers are 8-1-3 and could claim a wild-card playoff spot in a fight with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Metropolitan Division.
The New York Rangers are looking forward and not backward regarding their opponents, and the team looks much different than it did at the beginning of the season.
They're fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 24-20-4 record and must face the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, and the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.
