Stars Rantanen Not Worried About His New Team

Caleb Kerney

Apr 19, 2025

Partner

131131Members·1K1,041Posts

Caleb Kerney

Apr 19, 2025

Partner

Mikko Rantanen (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

It’s the best time to be a hockey fan.

Or at least, it’s the most exciting.

The Dallas Stars are facing the Colorado Avalanche for the second consecutive playoffs. This time, things are a little different.

Bookmark The Hockey News Dallas Stars team site to never miss the latest news, game day stories, and information on the players.

For starters, they are facing in the opening round instead of meeting in the Conference Semi-Finals, like last year. There’s one more big difference.

Mikko Rantanen.

This will be the first time that Rantanen has played against the Avalanche in the postseason. Luckily, he was able to get his first game against his old team out of the way during the regular season.

Trending Stars Stories

The Dallas Stars fan base received some positive news Saturday morning as Miro Hieskanen took the ice for an optional skate. Heiskanen was not placed on long-term injured reserve back on March 7th, and was thought he would not play a factor in the opening playoff series, but after an optional skate we know can see the Finnish defenseman possibly make an appearance before the series ends.

thehockeynews.comHieskanen Could Play Factor In First Round After Practice AppearanceThe Dallas Stars fan base received some positive news Saturday morning as Miro Hieskanen took the ice for an optional skate. Heiskanen was not placed on long-term injured reserve back on March 7th, and was thought he would not play a factor in the opening playoff series, but after an optional skate we know can see the Finnish defenseman possibly make an appearance before the series ends. 

Stars Still Paying For Traded Prospect

Stars Call Up Reinforcements Ahead of Playoffs

Stars Captain Will Have To Wait Till Next Season To Reach Career Milestone

New Stars Acquisition Receives Unique Honor

The Dallas Stars head into Game 1 of their first round playoff matchup against the Avalanche with the tails between their legs as their season ended on a disastrous note. Things didn't get much better after their season finale, as it was announced that forward Jason Robertson would miss Game 1 after leaving the game with a lower body injury. With their leading scorer to miss the beginning of the round, many will wonder who will step up to lead the way in his absence.

thehockeynews.comWith Robertson To Miss Game 1, Who Will Step Up In His Absence? The Dallas Stars head into Game 1 of their first round playoff matchup against the Avalanche with the tails between their legs as their season ended on a disastrous note. Things didn't get much better after their season finale, as it was announced that forward Jason Robertson would miss Game 1 after leaving the game with a lower body injury. With their leading scorer to miss the beginning of the round, many will wonder who will step up to lead the way in his absence.

“I think it was a good thing to get that game out of the way and it was a regular season game, now it’s all business,” Rantanen told reporters in a scrum after Friday’s practice.

“Dallas against Colorado and I’m part of Dallas, that’s how I look at it.”

It’s taken a while, but Rantanen has settled into his role within the Stars' lineup and organization.

“I feel comfortable now, it’s about 20 games I got with the team here,” Rantanen said. “I feel comfortable in the locker room with everybody, every individual, with the coaches, so now it’s just time to execute.”

Rantanen Speaks From Experience With The Avalanche

The Stars ended the regular season on a seven-game losing streak. Rantanen spoke about a time when he experienced a similar slide with the Avalanche.

“I think in 2022 with the Avs we lost 6 out of the last 7 (before the playoffs),” Rantanen said. “And we won the Cup.”

There is a significant reason why Rantanen isn’t worried about how the team ended the regular season – the team itself.

“I think the depth is one of the strengths of the team,” Rantanen stated. “The injuries are going to happen, for sure. It’s the next man up mentality.”

“This team’s depth has been good for the last 2-3 years, so I’m not worried at all.”

Add us to your Google News favorites and never miss a story.