Will he re-sign in Carolina after this season -- and if not, where else? And what will other contenders do to keep pace ahead of the March 7 deadline?

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."

David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists, and the Boston Bruins beat Colorado 3-1 on Saturday, a day after the Avalanche traded star winger Mikko Rantanen. Pastrnak set up both of Morgan Geekie’s goals in the third period.