Elliotte Friedman reports that money was one significant factor (perhaps the biggest) in the Colorado Avalanche’s decision to trade Mikko Rantanen.

The Edmonton Oilers are in town for a Western Conference matchup as the Colorado Avalanche continue their five-game homestand. The Oilers will play their second game of a back-to-back tonight after taking a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Wild.

Rantanen has been an essential member of the Avalanche's core since arriving in 2015-16, having won the Stanley Cup in 2021-22. Widely regarded as one of the NHL's premier offensive talents, he stands among the league's top five scorers over the last five seasons.

The NHL salary cap is expected to rise significantly in the next few years, and while more teams won't spend to the limit, the Edmonton Oilers will benefit by having the financial power to spend to the cap.

The Edmonton Oilers will face the Colorado Avalanche in this NHL matchup at Ball Arena on Thursday, January 16th.WATCH: Oilers vs Avalanche Live | Stream free on FuboThe Oilers are second in the Pacific Division with a 28-13-3 record.

First Period_1, Colorado, O'Connor 6 (Kiviranta, Rantanen), 5:17. 2, Colorado, MacKinnon 16 (de Haan, Drouin), 10:04. 3, Colorado, MacKinnon 17 (Toews), 11:48. 4 ...

Rantanen admitted he spent a lot of time staring at the ceiling Friday night. The goal celebrations with the likes of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are no more. The bonds he made are likely unbreakable, but now it’s time to make new ones in his new home.

That was one way to wrap up a Friday night.

The Griffins swept a two-game series against the Manitoba Moose, 2-1, on Saturday at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Evgenii Dadonov had a goal and an assist, Casey DeSmith stopped 33 shots in his second shutout of the season and Dallas beat St. Louis. Esa Lindell scored a power-play goal, Miro Heiskanen had an assist for the fourth straight game and Dallas won for the seventh time in its last nine road games.

Cam Talbot stopped 28 shots for his second shutout of the season as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Saturday night. Marco Kasper redirected J.T. Compher’s shot at 9:55 of the second period,

Following a trade that sent Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes, who else might have an unexpected deal in the works?