Mikko Rantanen has had a roller-coaster season. At the beginning of the year, the star right winger was a key component of the Colorado Avalanche. Then, in a shocking move, the Avs traded him to Carolina. But because Rantanen didn’t sign a contract extension with the Hurricanes, Rantanen was dealt again at the trade deadline, going to the Dallas Stars. But in his first game as a Star Saturday night, Rantanen looked like a man reborn.
Why? Because Rantanen posted a goal and two points in Dallas’ game against Edmonton Saturday – already one-third of the six points he had in 13 games as a Hurricane. Rantanen also played more than he did in Carolina, logging 21:56 in his first game with Dallas after averaging 19:49 with the ‘Canes.
And here’s the thing about Rantanen immediately looking so comfortable as a Star – despite playing approximately two minutes more than he was playing with the Hurricanes, Rantanen doesn’t have to be ‘The Man’ in Dallas. And that takes a significant amount of pressure off of him as he focuses on the rest of the season and beyond.
To wit: the Stars have a slew of major-contributor forwards to help carry the load in Dallas. Whether it’s Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn or Mason Marchment, the Stars are not lacking for talent up front. So, Rantanen doesn’t have to do the majority of the heavy lifting for this Dallas team.
Rantanen also has the comfort that comes with a lucrative contract extension. Beginning next year, he’ll be making $12-million per season, so the 28-year-old can relax and focus on the next shift he plays and the next game he plays. That’s why the Stars are such a good fit for him. Yes, he’s going to be Dallas’ highest-paid player next season, but he’s under no pressure to be the key component the way the Hurricanes were looking for him to be in their short and tumultuous relationship.
From this point on, Rantanen can zero in on being himself, without the outside noise of fans and media wondering where and when he was going to settle down. The hard part is over for him, and now the Stars can set their sights on winning a Stanley Cup knowing they’ve got Rantanen in tow for the next eight years. It’s an ideal situation for the player and for his team, and it’s likely to pay off with a ton of playoff hockey for a long time to come.
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