The Avalanche shocked the hockey world by trading Mikko Rantanen. But don't fret, Avs fans -- Colorado still has superstars other teams would move heaven and earth to acquire.

The Colorado Avalanche surprised the hockey industry by trading star right winger Mikko Rantanen to Carolina. Nobody saw the deal coming, and Avs fans were rightfully confused and angry to see a star player dealt away, even though Colorado got a fairly good deal of assets in return for Rantanen's services.

But look on the bright side, Avalanche fans -- the Avs still have a couple of superstar players who are arguably two of the best in the world. Of course, we're talking about Hart Trophy-winning center Nathan MacKinnon and Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Cale Makar. Some teams would move heaven and earth to employ one of those dynamos, let alone two. And the Avs' decision to deal Rantanen (which netted a pretty great player in Martin Necas and a bottom-six center in Jack Drury) also allows them to go out and continue to bulk up their depth up front and on defense.

Avs' management has decided to cut down on the top-heavy lineup, but we'd bet the house that MacKinnon and Makar will be in Denver for a very long time, if not their entire carers. Something catastrophic happening to the Avalanche would have to take place to change that. 

So turn that frown upside-down. Avs fans. You've got the good fortune to have two icons and surefire Hockey Hall-of-Famers, and you get to see them for a very long time.