Mikko Rantanen’s New Chapter with the Dallas Stars

FRISCO — Mikko Rantanen has a lot going for him right now.

He arrived in Dallas two weeks ago to prepare for his first training camp with the Stars. He’s selling his house in Colorado and got a place in Dallas. He starts an eight-year, $96 million contract this season — the largest contract in Stars history. And he got engaged to his longtime girlfriend this offseason.

“I think his life’s pretty good,” Stars GM Jim Nill said.

Rantanen has stability for the first time since the start of last season. A year ago, he was entering his 10th season in Colorado. Little did he know, within a few months, he would be traded twice and end up signing a long-term contract with his arch rival.

A Year of Ups and Downs

“I think with the topsy-turvy that he was on, I mean, he put me on that rollercoaster,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. “I was really happy when he got traded to Carolina and got put in the East, and then I got really sad because he was in Dallas. I didn’t want him back in the West. And then I got to coach Dallas, and now I’m happy.”

Happy campers: See photos from Dallas Stars training camp practice

Adjusting to a New Team

Rantanen arrived in Dallas with just a quarter of the regular season remaining. He was thrown into an injury-riddled roster in the midst of a playoff push with an outgoing coaching staff. He had little time to adjust.

That was all while processing the emotions of last year.

Still, Rantanen managed to average near a point per game in his 20 regular season games in Dallas. He was one of the league’s best players last playoffs, scoring nine goals and 13 assists in 18 games. He showed quickly that the trade was well worth it.

Stability and Expectations

But now, knowing where he’ll play not only for the next nine months, but next eight years, he and the Stars believe his ceiling could be even higher.

“For the mental side of the sport, it’s easier when you know where you’re going to go or where you’re going to be,” Rantanen said. “When you’re feeling good mentally, I think it helps on the ice.”

Rantanen holds many roles on the Stars. He’s an elite goal scorer and point earner. He possesses pucks well and has an underrated physical and defensive side to his game.

In the locker room, he’s a translator, bridging the gap between the other Finns and North American players.

Leadership and Work Ethic

“Part of the reason that he was such a big part of that Avs team is just his personality,” Stars goalie Jake Oettinger said. “He’s not a guy that goes on his own and kind of hides in the corner. He’s in the mix with the guys. He wants to hang out outside the rink. He wants to be a part of all that extra stuff, which that’s what we need on this team.”

And throughout the start of camp, his teammates and coaches have pointed to his underrated leadership abilities.

Rantanen may not wear a letter for the Stars, as Gulutzan plans to keep the same captain and alternate captains that Dallas had last year, but it would be surprising if he didn’t at some point in the next eight years.

Many say his work ethic has become contagious.

“Watch Mikko throughout his six hours at the rink, and you see why he’s a 100-plus point player pretty much every year,” Stars forward Tyler Seguin said.

“I think when you’re around greatness, you want to elevate yourself,” Oettinger added.

Guiding His Teammates

Rantanen is one of only two players on the roster to ever win the Stanley Cup. He also won it most recently, hoisting the Cup with Colorado in 2022.

For his teammates who have been so close to achieving the same, they’re also looking to him to guide them and point out any areas where they’re falling short of his Avalanche team that won it all a few years ago.

Handling Expectations

Expectations and pressure may be high for Rantanen. A $12 million player is expected to live up to the price tag.

But Rantanen feels ready to handle it. He knows it can’t be any harder than what he went through a year ago.

“When you sign here for eight years, it helped. That was kind of when I knew this was going to be [in] a place for multiple years. Then, you start to feel the relief,” he said. “It’s just natural. I’m not trying to overthink it. I’m just trying to do the same things I did at the previous teams and be myself.”

Conclusion

Mikko Rantanen is ready to start his new chapter with the Dallas Stars. With stability and a long-term contract, he’s looking to take his game to the next level and guide his teammates to success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about Mikko Rantanen and the Dallas Stars:

• Q: How much is Mikko Rantanen’s contract with the Dallas Stars?
• A: Mikko Rantanen signed an eight-year,