Renck: Mikko Rantanen got the bag. Avalanche got better chance to win Stanley Cup.

A moose is a creature of thunder and beauty. The “Moose” is a creator of wonder and mystery.

Mikko Rantanen returned to Ball Arena with no one completely sure why he left. Regardless of Texas’ lack of state income tax, Sunday showed that he played right into the Avs’ hands.

Colorado can win a Stanley Cup without him. And even better, in the playoffs, the Avs will have to go through him.

Bring the popcorn. Seven games of Stars-Avs? Yes, please.

After watching the Avs dominate, deflate, then dismiss the Stars 4-3 in overtime, it sure seems like the Avs played chess with Moose.

Colorado’s braintrust has not revealed specific details on why Rantanen was traded. But here is my sense. They tried to secure a contract extension, but the talks featured little elasticity. They followed late general manager Pierre Lacroix’s blueprint of slotting star contracts, comfortably painting a line in the sand. 

The Avs had a number, and the gap became too far to bridge. They did not trade Rantanen out of spite. They landed a player in Martin Necas who ranked 12th in points in the NHL on the day of the deal.

Necas, on cue, scored Colorado’s first goal Sunday. This deal will be measured by the postseason. However, the trade is no longer viewed in a vacuum because it allowed for the acquisition of multiple players, including Brock Nelson.

It was unthinkable when Rantanen was dealt seven weeks ago– — include me in this group — but the Avs are better since Mikko’s exit.

Maybe it is time to say the quiet part out loud. Both sides got what they wanted.

“There are decisions that are made and you have to move on,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “I like our group. Marty is a great player. (Jack) Drury really helps us, and if that (Rantanen trade) allowed us to add some other guys to get stronger, well … we are in a good spot. Mikko is in a good spot in Dallas. We are happy for him. But we are in a good spot here.”

Sunday was not like Nolan Arenado’s return to Coors Field. Arenado was not traded by the Rockies. He was paroled. He will always remain a sympathetic figure because of the arrogance of former GM Jeff Bridich and the foolishness of Rockies owner Dick Monfort.

A more apt comparison is former Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. In the summer of 2004, his contract dominated the conversation. Teammates loved him. There comes a time, however, when money talk grows trite even among best friends.

The Red Sox dealt Garciaparra because his defense was labeled a “fatal flaw.” What if the Avs moved Rantanen because his contract had become too much — in money, in years, in distractions? What if the Avs reached a point and were just done with it, knowing the room needed a shake-up?

Again, the Avs have not discussed this publicly. And probably never will. But it tracks because of the way they treated him Sunday. At the first TV timeout, the Avs honored Rantanen with a 90-second video tribute.

The crash of competing emotions and torn loyalties in a soldout arena produced cheers, chants of “Moose!” and a smattering of boos. Had Rantanen returned as a Hurricane, he would have received a standing ovation. He is now a star on the Stars, a team with a nasty disposition and Jamie Benn, the Grate One.

“The first time (back), especially, is always going to be the most emotional. Obviously the video and the reception from the fans I will never forget,” Rantanen said. “The fans had my back for 10 years; It means a lot.”

Gabe Landeskog offered recently that the Avs players had things to “hash out” with Rantanen. But Saturday’s dinner had only one disagreement if Cale Makar, author of the game-winner, is to be believed.

“We had to fight for him to pay the bill,” Makar said. “No, just kidding. It was great. It’s always good to see Mikko. And it’s unfortunate that we will see a lot more of him now.”

There exists a real possibility that Dallas knocks the Avs out in the postseason. These teams are evenly matched, so a bouncing puck or suspect penalty could be the difference. So could Val Nichushkin, if he avoids suspension. The Avs are 13-0-1 in his last 14 games. He scored in the second period Sunday, while Scott Wedgewood stuffed Rantanen’s two juicy opportunities in the third.

Rantanen’s head has been on a carousel since late January: traded twice, and in the case of his Carolina departure, fully blamed once.

If the Stars end another Colorado playoff run, it will be easy to muse that the Avs should have kept Rantanen. But time allows for a fuller perspective.

The Avs made the right call, even if no one they added is Rantanen’s equal. Moose got his video, his dinner and the bag.

And the Avs got a better chance to win the Cup.

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