DALLAS — Mikko Rantenen, one of the NHL’s most consistent goal-scorers, has experienced a lot this season, but it’s not over yet.
Upon the conclusion of the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, the former Colorado Avalanche winger officially became a member of the Dallas Stars, declaring Dallas’s push to go all in for the Stanley Cup championship this spring.
As per the deal, he signed an eight-year extension to remain in the Lone Star State.
Before joining the Stars, Rantenen was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes to help them contend for the Cup. However, his time in Carolina was short-lived.
It became clear he would not re-sign with Carolina before the offseason so the Hurricanes sought trade partners to avoid losing Rantanen during NHL free agency this summer
Enter Jim Nill and Dallas.
The Stars gave up a significant trade package to acquire the 28-year-old winger in the closing hours of the trade deadline on Friday, sending forward Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks and two third-round picks to Carolina.
So how does the trade look two days later? Pretty good.
Rantanen picked up a goal and assist in his Stars debut: a 5-4 loss against defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
Rantanen’s goal, which came on the powerplay, sparked a third-period rally that saw Dallas score three unanswered goals to pull the game within one.
Acquiring Rantanen was the latest trade in a series of moves to bring the Stanley Cup to Dallas for the first time since 1999.
Nill acquired Mikael Granlund, another Finn, and defenseman Cody Ceci, who played for the Oilers last season, to give his team more firepower up front and additional defense on the back end.
Each player adds intangibles to the hockey club. Rantanen is a proven goal scorer who can also dish out assists in a top-six role. Granlund is a dependable top-nine forward who will likely see time between the second and third forward lines. Ceci brings a lanky, steady defensive presence who can make clean passes exiting his zone.
Add them to the mix in Dallas already, and the lineup becomes one of the toughest in the west.
What led up to Rantanen joining Dallas
The Avalanche struggled early, sparking multiple moves to re-design team culture. It started with replacing their goaltenders before shipping out Rantanen in a package trade with Carolina. Rantanen was stunned. So was Colorado captain Nathan MacKinnon.
“Yeah, it was shocking. I wish I could have talked about this … not right now. I’m upset about the loss, but just bigger picture — obviously losing Mikko, a really great friend. Nine years, 10 years together. Won a Cup. It’s just sad,” MacKinnon told The Denver Post following a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.
Carolina previously flipped key players to acquire Rantanen, so they did not want to see him leave without getting anything in return. Hence, trade talks began.
Rantanen shines as a rookie
Rantanen debuted in the NHL on Oct. 8, 2015, before suiting up for 75 games the following season. His breakout campaign happened in 2017-2018 when he registered 29 goals and 55 assists for 84 points, coming second in points on the team behind linemate Nathan MacKinnon.
Since 2020, the Finnish winger has potted 30 goals each season and collected at least 90 points in three of four campaigns. He has broken through the 100-point mark each of the last two years.