The Mikko Rantanen trade brought up NHL speculation about the futures of the Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner and Penguins' Sidney Crosby, which were quickly addressed.

The Avalanche sent Rantanen, a pending unrestricted free agent, to the Carolina Hurricanes, receiving Martin Necas, Jack Drury and two draft picks in return. With the Chicago Blackhawks taking on 50% of Rantanen’s cap hit in the deal, Colorado has $5.6 million in cap space, fueling speculation about an upcoming major addition.

All of this coming on the heels of a report from RG that noted the Penguins were open to making big moves didn’t lighten the tension for fans of the team. While that report most

Crosby signed a two-year extension last September. He has repeatedly said he plans to only play for the Penguins. He has a full no-trade clause. Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Penguins, wants him to be part of the organization for the rest of his life.

Here are three blockbuster Avalanche trade targets in the wake of the stunning Mikko Rantanen trade with the Hurricanes.

Pittsburgh Penguins beat writer Josh Yohe voiced his frustration regarding the ongoing trade speculation surrounding Sidney Crosby, fueled by the Spittin' Chiclets podcast duo of Ryan Whitney and Paul

The Colorado Avalanche shook the hockey world on Friday when they dealt pending unrestricted free agent superstar Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in one of the biggest blockbuster trades of the cap era. With the trade floodgates being opened, it might be the time to start keeping an eye on the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After the Avs moved Mikko Rantanen in a stunning blockbuster on Friday, rumours immediately emerged that Crosby was joining MacKinnon in Denver. This is what’s being said about that in the link below:

Explore why Sidney Crosby won’t be traded to the Colorado Avalanche or Montreal Canadiens. NHL trade rumors debunked with expert insight.

With the Pittsburgh Penguins floundering, all eyes are on what they'll do with Sidney Crosby. There's been talk of a Penguins fire sale and that it includes Crosby, but hockey insider Chris Johnston doesn't believe that's happening.