Kadri stirs Avalanche regret as Rantanen shines for Stars

Mikko Rantanen is lighting up the postseason with the Dallas Stars. His performances have been relentless, helping Dallas push toward another Stanley Cup run. For Colorado, his form is a harsh reminder of what was lost.Rantanen, once a key piece of the Avalanche core. He was traded before the 2024-25 season, and many were shocked. But the true impact of the move is being felt now. As Rantanen adds goals and assists. The absence of his production in Colorado becomes more glaring.Nazem Kadri has added fuel to the growing criticism around Colorado’s recent decisions. From Calgary, where his Flames missed the postseason, Kadri made a timely remark that echoed across the league.It was clear the message was directed at Colorado’s front office. Kadri, who helped lead the Avalanche to a championship in 2022. He has not hidden his dissatisfaction. Along with how things ended in Denver, as his recent words arrived just as Rantanen recorded another standout performance.The Avalanche are no strangers to scrutiny, but the overlap of Kadri’s comments and Rantanen’s success has brought old issues back to the surface.Joe Sakic’s legacy as a GM includes a Stanley Cup and several deep playoff runs. But his recent roster decisions are now drawing more criticism than praise. Letting Kadri walk after the 2022 Cup win was a blow. Trading Rantanen only amplified the questions.The team has failed to make it past the second round since 2022. With both Kadri and Rantanen gone, the lineup lacks the edge and firepower once feared by opponents.Read more: Golden Knights’ Roy penalized for dangerous overtime hit on FredericThis moment isn’t just about Rantanen’s stats or Kadri’s words. It’s about a team that let go of two culture-setting players and is now paying the price. Rantanen’s playoff brilliance highlights what Colorado lost. Kadri’s criticism reminds fans how those exits happened. The Avalanche have talent, but no clear answers.