Colorado Avalanche captain Nathan MacKinnon didn’t have much to say when asked about the possibility of facing his longtime former teammate Mikko Rantanen in the Western Conference playoffs.
Speaking to reporters after Friday's practice and following the Rantanen trade to the Dallas Stars, MacKinnon kept his answer brief.
Asked about a possible postseason matchup against the Stars during the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs, McKinnon had little to offer and avoided creating any controversy.
“Yeah, it happens,” MacKinnon said. "I play some of my good friends all the time."
When pressed on whether it would be exciting or challenging to go head-to-head against Rantanen in a postseason series, MacKinnon stayed blunt.
“No. I try to wake up and I try to challenge myself. I don’t [know] what to say, sorry,” he added.
Rantanen, who was first traded from Colorado to Carolina in January, was on the move again before the deadline as the Hurricanes sent him to Dallas in exchange for Logan Stankoven and multiple draft picks.
The deal, which was entirely dependent on the winger reaching an agreement for a contract with the Stars, quickly signed an eight-year, $96 million extension with Dallas.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) reacts during a stoppage of play.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
“It’s been crazy," Rantanen said on Friday. "It was the first time I’ve been traded from Colorado, and it happened quick, everything, and all of a sudden you’re on a new team for the first time.
"And then this situation comes with the contract and stuff. So it’s been something that I never thought I would fully experience, but here we are."
The Stars eliminated the Avs from the post-season last year when they met in the Western Conference semifinals, beating Colorado 4-2 in their second-round series.
