Mikko Rantanen is preparing for an emotional return to Raleigh. The Dallas Stars forward, who spent just 13 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season amid a flurry of trades, will face his brief former team on Tuesday night. Now settled with an eight-year extension, Rantanen looks to continue his strong season against the Hurricanes.
“It’s going to be weird,” Rantanen said ahead of the matchup. After nearly a decade with Colorado, his path took unexpected turns, but he’s found stability in Dallas. The game caps a remarkable journey for the Finnish winger.
Rantanen’s whirlwind trades last season
Last season marked unprecedented chaos for Rantanen. After 9½ seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, he was traded to Carolina on Jan. 24. The Hurricanes hoped to secure him long-term, but it never materialized.
He played only 13 games for Carolina, including six at home, before another deadline deal on March 7 sent him to Dallas. That move came with a massive $96 million, eight-year extension. The timing was tough—road trips, the 4 Nations Face-Off, and constant upheaval prevented settling in.
“It was just a tough time for me because I was as surprised by the trade and then we were on the road a lot,” Rantanen reflected. For deeper insights into his double-trade experience, check out Mikko Rantanen learnings from last season double-trade campaign: A journey from Colorado to Dallas via Carolina.
The trades shocked the league. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan, then an assistant with Edmonton, called it “shocking.” Rantanen’s fourth game with Dallas was back in Colorado, followed by a first-round playoff clash where he notched a hat trick in Game 7.
Playing against ex-teammates always feels strange, especially the first time. Rantanen’s brief Hurricanes tenure adds intrigue to this rematch. Mikko Rantanen lessons learned from double-trade season: navigating unprecedented NHL chaos explores how he adapted.
Settling in with the Dallas Stars
This season, Rantanen has flourished in Dallas. Through 41 games, he has 57 points—16 goals and 41 assists—proving his elite production. The Stars sit second in the Western Conference with 58 points, trailing only the Avalanche’s 69, despite a recent five-game skid.
“I feel like normal, back to my normal self, settled in in a place where I’m going to be,” Rantanen said. He loves the organization, teammates, and fans, crediting stability for his on-ice success.
Gulutzan praises Rantanen’s bigger role. “He’s kind of got a little bit out of that shadow [in Colorado], and he’s got a bigger role, so I’m sure he’s embraced it,” the coach noted. “He’s our swag. He’s relied on heavily here, not in anyone’s shadow for sure.”
Recent form supports this. Rantanen snapped a point streak with a multi-point effort against Chicago, boasting 16 goals and 40 assists in 40 games per his ESPN player page. His 99 shots and plus-3 rating highlight his impact.
Stars vs Hurricanes game preview
Dallas (25-9-8) visits Carolina (25-14-3) in Raleigh at 7 p.m. ET. The Stars boast a strong road record (13-3-5) and excel on the power play (12-1-0 when scoring). Carolina thrives at home (13-8-1) and when netting three-plus goals (22-4-3).
This is the second meeting this season; Dallas won the first 3-2, led by Miro Heiskanen’s two goals. Top Stars performers include Jason Robertson (24 goals, 25 assists) and Wyatt Johnston, hot with six goals in his last 10. For Carolina, Sebastian Aho has 17 goals and 25 assists, while Andrei Svechnikov heats up with five goals in 10.
Both teams falter lately: Hurricanes 4-5-1 in last 10 (3.3 GF/GP), Stars 4-3-3 (3.5 GF/GP). No major injuries reported, per the ESPN pregame analysis.
Key matchups loom. Rantanen’s line could test Carolina’s defense, while the Hurricanes’ speed challenges Dallas’ recent slump.
- Stars strengths: Road prowess, power play, Rantanen’s scoring touch.
- Hurricanes strengths: Home scoring, balanced attack from Aho and Svechnikov.
- Watch for: Rantanen’s first goal vs. ex-team, Stars snapping skid.
What Rantanen’s return means
Rantanen’s story embodies NHL resilience. From trade surprise to extension security, he’s channeled instability into motivation. Facing Carolina offers closure on a tough chapter.
Dallas eyes the Central Division lead and deeper playoff run, with Rantanen central. NHL futures lists highlight him for Hart Trophy contention alongside MacKinnon and McDavid.
This game tests Dallas’ mettle amid losses. A win reinforces their Western elite status. For Rantanen, it’s validation: settled and thriving, ready to shine against the past.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.