The aftermath of the NHL’s biggest trade this past season continues to be felt as the main players involved – Mikko Rantanen, Logan Stankoven, and Martin Necas – are all active in the Stanley Cup playoffs. These players were traded as part of the major deal that shook up the NHL, and now we’re seeing how they’ve been performing since the trades.
Let’s break down how Mikko Rantanen, Martin Necas, and Logan Stankoven are doing after their big moves.
1. Mikko Rantanen: A Talented Playoff Performer
Mikko Rantanen is the only player in this trade who has already won a Stanley Cup, so the expectations for him are high. Initially, he struggled with the Carolina Hurricanes, posting only two goals and six points in 13 games after being traded from Colorado. But his performance improved dramatically after being traded again to the Dallas Stars, where he contributed 13 assists and 18 points in just 20 games.
However, Rantanen has yet to find his playoff rhythm with Dallas. In the first three playoff games against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, Rantanen has only recorded one assist. Despite this, his impressive playoff history – 34 goals and 102 points in 84 career postseason games – suggests that he will step up his game. Given his experience and skill, it’s expected that Rantanen will become a significant point producer for the Stars in the upcoming rounds.
2. Martin Necas: Still Adjusting with Colorado
Martin Necas had a strong regular season with the Carolina Hurricanes before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche. He was averaging over a point per game with 39 assists and 55 points in 49 games with the ‘Canes. After the trade, Necas continued to produce at a high level, scoring 17 assists and 28 points in 30 games with the Avalanche.
However, Necas has struggled to make an impact in Colorado’s first three playoff games, managing only one assist, tied with Rantanen. Despite this, Necas has a good playoff track record, having recorded 19 assists and 30 points in 59 career postseason games before this year. With stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar already carrying much of the load for Colorado, Necas doesn’t need to be the main contributor, but the Avalanche will need more from him if they hope to defeat Dallas and move forward in the playoffs.
3. Logan Stankoven: A Rising Star for the Hurricanes
Logan Stankoven, the centerpiece of the trade that sent Rantanen to Dallas, has been making an immediate impact for the Carolina Hurricanes. In 19 regular-season games, Stankoven posted five goals and nine points, matching his production rate with the Stars, where he had 20 assists and 29 points in 59 games before the trade.
Stankoven also has playoff experience, having scored three goals and eight points in 19 games last season. This year, he’s continued to contribute, scoring two goals in three playoff games. As the youngest player in this trade tree, Stankoven’s role in Carolina’s playoff run will only grow. He still has a lot of room to develop, but his potential to become a key player for the Hurricanes is clear.
The fallout from this blockbuster NHL trade continues to shape the playoff picture, with Rantanen, Necas, and Stankoven all playing important roles for their respective teams. While each player has had different levels of success so far, all three are expected to make significant contributions as their teams continue their playoff runs.
Rantanen’s experience and past playoff success will likely see him step up for Dallas, while Colorado hopes to see more from Necas as they fight to advance. For Carolina, Stankoven’s growth could be a key factor in their postseason success. The next few games will show just how much these players can influence the outcome of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
