Mikko Rantanen’s Journey to the Dallas Stars: A Fresh Start for the Finnish Forward
It’s been a wild few months for Mikko Rantanen. After a brief stint with the Carolina Hurricanes, the Finnish forward is now the newest addition to the Dallas Stars roster, looking to make a Stanley Cup Finals push in a few months. Rantanen shared his thoughts on his Dallas move just hours before his Stars debut in Edmonton on Saturday night.
A Familiar Face in Dallas
Rantanen admitted that some familiarity with his new Dallas teammates made this transition a bit easier than his last. For those needing a refresher, Rantanen was previously traded from the Colorado Avalanche to Carolina in January.
"Obviously, [a] very, very good team," Rantanen told reporters after the team’s morning skate. "A lot of Fins in the team, so a lot of friends from before already, which makes the transition always a little bit easier when you know some guys. Obviously have played against them a lot, so they’re familiar faces."
A Push for the Stanley Cup Finals
After acknowledging the shock and excitement of the last 24-to-48 hours, Rantanen said he hopes he can give the Stars the extra push they’ve been needing to fight for a title. He’s gotten a close look at the Stars as opponents in recent years, being eliminated by Dallas in last year’s playoffs.
"It’s exciting because they’ve been very close the last two years to get to the finals," Rantanen said. "They’ve been right there, so hopefully I can help them try to get to those games again. [It’s] just exciting to play on a good team."
A New Chapter in Dallas
Rantanen and the Stars agreed to an eight-year extension worth $12 million annually as part of his latest move. Dallas sent forward Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks, and two third-round picks to Carolina for Rantanen’s services.
Adjusting to Dallas
After the trade became official, Stars coach Pete DeBoer wasted no time figuring out how to best use Rantanen’s skills. DeBoer told reporters he quickly wrote down line combinations and power play units on a napkin when he knew Rantanen was Dallas-bound.
"I don’t think it’s going to take a lot of time," DeBoer said. "I think our Finnish connection here with him was a big part of this. I’m not sure, and I can’t speak for him, but I’m not sure you sign, sight unseen, with a team for eight years unless you’re comfortable. I know he’s been to Dallas but he just spent two weeks with the big group of Finnish guys that we have here and I know they’re all real close. I know they played a part in this."
"I think that’s gonna really speed up him jumping in here and helping us out."
Conclusion
Mikko Rantanen’s journey to the Dallas Stars marks a fresh start for the Finnish forward, who hopes to give the team the extra push they need to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. With his new teammates and a familiar face in Dallas, Rantanen is ready to make an impact on the ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long has Mikko Rantanen been with the Stars?
A: Mikko Rantanen was traded to the Stars in [insert date] and made his debut on [insert date].
Q: What is Mikko Rantanen’s contract extension with the Stars?
A: Rantanen agreed to an eight-year extension worth $12 million annually with the Stars.
Q: How did the Stars coach, Pete DeBoer, plan to use Mikko Rantanen’s skills?
A: DeBoer quickly wrote down line combinations and power play units on a napkin when he knew Rantanen was Dallas-bound.
Q: How does Mikko Rantanen see his role in the Stars’ push for the Stanley Cup Finals?
A: Rantanen hopes to give the Stars the extra push they need to reach the finals and is excited to play on a good team.
