The Carolina Hurricanes delivered the first major deal of the NHL season acquiring 2-time 100-point scorer Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury as well a 2025 2nd round draft pick and a 2026 4th rounder.  It's a complicated deal that involed the Chicago Blackhawks, who agreed to assume half of Rantanen's $9.25 million salary AND send Carolina former 1st overall pick Taylor Hall.  Chicago receives a 3rd round pick in 2025 in return.  Oddly enough, it was their own 3rd round selection that they traded to Carolina in a 2024 draft deal.