Read more: Avalanche Star Nathan MacKinnon Speaks Out on Blockbuster Mikko Rantanen Trade The Avalanche sent Rantanen, their No. 2 point scorer and a top-five point collector in the league over the last five seasons, to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange ...

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."