After a chaotic turn of events, Mikko Rantanen found a stable home with the Dallas Stars during the 2024-25 NHL season—and for many more years to come. But as the Stars visit the Colorado Avalanche and Rantanen steps into Ball Arena’s away locker room for the first time in his career, emotions run high for the 28-year-old star.
Rantanen has been through the wringer all season long. After being the biggest name involved in the three-team trade announced on January, Rantanen couldn’t perform as him and the Carolina Hurricanes intended. Shortly after landing in Raleigh, the organization put him on the market.
Since joining the Stars, Rantanen scored two goals and an assist in three games. ‘The Moose’ was blanked during the team’s latest outing at Winnipeg, and Rantanen will look to etch his name on the scoresheet during his emotional return to Denver.
Ahead of a long-awaited matchup between two juggernauts in the Western Conference, Rantanen delivered a bold confession about his time with the Avalanche and the drama-filled 2025 he’s been through.
Mikko Rantanen #96 of Team Finland stands at attention during the national anthems prior to the game against Team Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off game at the Bell Centre on February 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
“It was hard, because at the end of the day, I always wanted to stay in Colorado,” Rantanen admitted, via Sportsnet. “That was the plan. I told the front office, too, I told them face-to-face that I was going to be flexible. But I understand, better players than me have been traded in the history of the NHL. So, it happens.”
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The spotlight has followed Rantanen since his trade from the Avalanche, but it burned hottest after Rod Brind’Amour’s recent comments, claiming the 28-year-old never wanted to play for the Hurricanes.
According to Raleigh’s head coach, Rantanen had a shortlist of just four NHL teams he was willing to join—and Carolina wasn’t one of them. Rantanen, however, has denied the claim.
“I want to make it clear that I was open-minded in Carolina and really thought about staying there,” Rantanen stated, as reported by NHL.com. “I saw some things were said that I had a list of teams ready when I went [to Carolina], but that’s false. Obviously, it was a big shock to leave Colorado, but I went [to Carolina] with an open mind and tried my best on the ice.”
Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2025 in New York City.
Rantanen and the Canes’ brief, yet melodramatic history is now in the past—fading more into a bad dream with each passing day. Now, the Finnish astro in the Lone Star State is focused on starting fresh with his new team, though a sense of nostalgia still lingers for his days in the Mile High City.
