Yahoo Sports Avalanche's Mikko Rantanen ranked among top 5 wings by NHL Network
While most eyes were on Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon this past season, his right-hand man — Mikko Rantanen — earned his second-best career season. The Nousiainen, Finland native now sits in the No. 3 spot on the latest NHL Network's top wings rankings.
Rantanen was one point shy of his career-high 105-point 2022-23 season and notched a career-high 62 assists in 2023-24. The 27-year-old scored 42 goals and averaged nearly 23 minutes time on ice. He tied his career-high game-winning-goals (9) and set a new high power-play points with 40.
MacKinnon picked up his first Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award, while Rantanen has quietly been overlooked. The top-line center appreciates his wingman and does not hold back when he boasts his playmaking skills.
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"I mean, every year, Mikko is always been there for me and you know, he's the perfect linemate. I think for for one another, I think we help each other out," MacKinnon said after the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 27.
The 6-foot-4 right wing has stepped up his game the last two seasons with captain Gabriel Landeskog out due to a knee injury. He only missed two games last season and had perfect attendance the season before. In his eight full seasons and total 618 possible games played, Rantanen only missed 57 games.
Rantanen has also played a huge role in the team's leadership core. While they all lead by example, he is more vocal in the room to keep positivity and morale up.
"Us, as players, we got to lead by example, obviously. We can't be doing stupid mistakes after shift after shift because then you know," Rantanen said prior to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars last season. "So if we play the right way, I feel like if me and Cale (Makar) and Toewser (Devon Toews), Nate (MacKinnon), all the leaders, we play the right way, I feel like it shows the other guys too the way we want to play. I think we try to do that mostly and coaches obviously try to give us little tips and help the young guys."
As one of the Avalanche's most impactful current first-round picks (10th overall in 2015), Rantanen has progressively improved his game, which has earned him elite status. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season but his agent publicly commented that they have been in serious talks with the Avs to keep him in Colorado.
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