What's behind former Colorado Avalanche Mikko Rantanen's sudden drop-off?
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images
It felt like a nightmare scenario for Colorado Avalanche fans when their former star, Mikko Rantanen, caught fire at the worst possible moment and knocked them out in the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs just a few weeks ago.
The winger was unstoppable, racking up 11 points over the final three games of the series and once again ending Colorado's postseason run prematurely.
What's behind former Colorado Avalanche Mikko Rantanen's sudden drop-off with the Dallas Stars?
Trent Finnegan from Denver Sports writes that the last three games of that series ignited a scorching five-game stretch for the Finnish star, during which he racked up 17 points across six games spanning the first and second rounds of the playoffs.
Rantanen capped off the Avalanche's elimination with a third-period hat trick in Game 7, then picked up right where he left off with another hat trick in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Winnipeg Jets.
"Avalanche fans were stuck wondering where this player was when they needed him in the second round of the postseason against the Dallas Stars in 2024, and were perplexed as to why general manager Chris MacFarland traded him weeks before the trade deadline instead of truly trying to sort out a contract extension." -Finnegan
In the nine games since his red hot-streak, where it felt like every puck that touched his stick ended up in the back of the net, Rantanen has cooled off significantly, looking much more like the player Avalanche fans remember all too well from past playoff disappointments.
"Just look at last year's Western Conference Semifinals. In the four losses to Dallas, Rantanen had just two points and was a -7 in his time on the ice. Despite being one of the biggest players on the ice, he was constantly losing puck battles along the boards and not doing much in the defensive zone to help his team win." -Finnegan
Although Nathan MacKinnon may struggle defensively at times, he consistently delivers offensively in crucial games, making his $12.6 million AAV contract worthwhile for the Avalanche. There's a clear reason why MacFarland and the front office were hesitant to offer Moose the same payday as MacKinnon, and Rantanen's recent nine-game slump has only validated their decision, writes Finnegan.
Although Nathan MacKinnon may struggle defensively at times, he consistently delivers offensively in crucial games, making his $12.6 million AAV contract worthwhile for the Avalanche. There's a clear reason why MacFarland and the front office were hesitant to offer Moose the same payday as MacKinnon, and Rantanen's recent nine-game slump has only validated their decision, writes Finnegan.
"If you're going to have two players be among the top-five highest paid guys in the league, you need both of them to show up when all the chips are shoved to the middle, not just one. While no one will ever know what Rantanen would've done with a new contract in Colorado, his performance for Dallas in the Conference Finals is giving a hint at what the Avalanche could've seen from No. 96." -Finnegan
Rantanen and the Stars currently trail 3-1 in the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers. Game 5 takes place Thursday night in Dallas as they fight to stay alive in the series.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
MAI 28 | 53 ANSWERS What's behind former Colorado Avalanche Mikko Rantanen's sudden drop-off? Do you think Mikko Rantanen is actually a star player in the NHL? | ||
| yes | 34 | 64.2 % |
| no | 19 | 35.8 % |
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