Mikko Rantanen’s reaction to being traded from the Colorado Avalanche was noticeable on the ice. He scored two goals and six points in 13 games with the Carolina Hurricanes and appeared as uninterested in an extension as he did during the games. Since joining the Dallas Stars, Rantanen is enjoying hockey again.
That’s evidenced by Rantanen’s torrid start in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. He’s the Conn Smythe Trophy favorite, scoring nine goals and 19 points in 11 games. In a recent article, Peter Baugh of The Athletic explored Rantanen’s pathway to the Stars organization this season.
Baugh even spoke to one of Rantanen’s family friends, Sauli Mattila, who said, “We’re getting back to ‘same old Mikko’ in his face. The smile is coming back.” The Stars are happy to reap the rewards of Rantanen’s new spark, as he may become the first player to be acquired at the trade deadline to become the postseason’s MVP.
Other notes from the Central Division:
- Now that Marc-Andre Fleury has shut the door on his playing career, Minnesota Wild netminder prospect Jesper Wallstedt has a clear pathway toward NHL minutes. Still, he’s not coming off a promising season, as injuries limited him to 27 games in the AHL, leading Wallstedt to a 9-14-5 record with a .879 SV% and a 3.59 GAA. In an interview with Joe Smith of The Athletic, Wallstedt reaffirmed his confidence in himself, saying, “I know I’m a great goalie. I know I can save the puck. I’ve done it for so many years. I’ve done it at so many different levels. I’ve done it at the AHL. So it’s more that I’m asking myself, ‘Why am I not doing it right now? What has changed?’ I just need to get a clean slate.”
- In an interview with Dave Kallmann of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nashville Predators prospect Fedor Svechkov spoke about transitioning back to AHL hockey for the Milwaukee Admirals’ pursuit of the Calder Cup. Svechkov, the team’s first-line center, is second on Milwaukee in postseason scoring with two goals and five points in five games. When pressed on re-joining the Admirals roster, Svechkov said, “It was so easy because I knew almost all the guys, and I’ve been here last year, start of this year, and I know the coaches, know all the stuff. And it was pretty easy, like I just came back to my family.“
This is going to be a stupid post and probably a waste of a read, but here it goes…I get it with Rantanen. I played for a rec league hockey team, and played with guys I knew and liked. I played really well and was the top scorer in the team and we ended up winning the league. The next year, the league decided to have a draft instead of guys having their own teams. I wound up with a bunch of guys I didn’t know and it was miserable. My play declined because I didn’t know how the other guys played. I’m sure that was how Rantanen felt. Something must have clicked in Dallas. There’s a lot to be said about chemistry.
That’s a good take
Helps having so many Finns on the Stars roster.
You mean the 1 extra Finn who was on the Stars roster but on the IL for almost every game until the last one was the difference? Dallas has 4 other Finns on their roster as of Feb 1 according to HR. Carolina had 3. I dont think that’s what caused the shift.
Yeah, I’m sure the presence of Juha Jaaska had an impact on Rantanen.
The Stars have alot of Finns on the team. It’s a simple fact.
As I am sure Heiskanen had an impact from his couch while recovering from his LBI that occurred in what their 2nd game together?
Both teams have a strong Finnish presence. a 13th fw vs a player at home on LTIR didn’t make a difference. He just was rattled by his first pro trade from a team he wanted to remain with and thought they were close enough to make something happen, and took it out on his 2nd team. The 3rd team scored when he just decided to relax and play. If players of his nationality played a large part he would have taken a discount to stay in Colorado with their 5-6+ Finns.
You do realize that Rantanen and Heiskanen have played together at numerous tournaments in the past, right?
That you have an issue with the simple statement that the Stars have alot of Finns is curious…..and disturbing.
I dont question or have an issue with the fact that that Miro and Miko have played together in the past. The statement that Rantanen may have upped his game because Dallas has more Finns than he is used to (being implied) is my question. Colorado had more on their team and Carolina had only 1 less on their active roster.
Rantenen is an elite talent despite the authnecity of players on his team.
He was horrible in Brind’Amour’s system. Not the first player to be. He knew it wasn’t a fit for him.
I have an anecdote about Rantanan; this is not a real take. But, I believe it’s a little insight into the man.
I had the pleasure to have had a nice conversation with Rantanan in the lobby of our hotel in Helsinki during the WJC in Dec. ‘15. I was extremely impressed with the maturity and cordiality of the teenager. He does not trip over himself, but clearly likes to win. I think he may be in the ideal place for his skills and temperament, and with a bunch of support all around him. I expect he’ll sign a LT extension and retired someday from the Stars.
(My hope is that someday he gets to see the Sabres fans live up to how supportive they can be when the team gives ‘em a chance. That was part of our convo.)
Is it too much to ask for a DAL-CAR Stanley Cup Final round?
Anyone but the Oilers!
Signed – Bitter Kings Fan.
@J.H. Why wouldn’t you rather lose to the eventual champs? Especially if you take them to 6 or 7 and the other teams only last 4-5?