W/C Mikko Rantanen (2015, 10th, COL) II

[TMLife*]

Super legit, and fairly underrated.

Colorado has a gem here, can't wait to see him in the show next season

edit: the play at 2:33-2:53 was my fave from the above video

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

It's great to see more of his AHL highlights, I don't bother digging those up unless it's posted here. He looks dominant, hopefully he will have a bigger role in the NHL next year.

 

[Risingwind]

I see he has grasped the idea behind scoring in NA... Shoot fast, shoot high, and don't miss! (Not too often at least) Looks like he's more than ready for a season in the big team.

 

[kelsier]

I've been extremely high on Rantanen even before he was drafted. Should have gone far higher than he did (#6 at latest). The only ones with clear edge over him are obviously McDavid, Eichel and maybe Hanifin and Provorov. Between Marner and Strome, anyone of the three could end up being the best player. He's just a force with that skating, size and the skill. Basically a handout from the Sharks to the Avs, a bit like Columbus giving up JP to Oilers. The only thing that worries me is Roy. Rantanen wasn't really given a chance on his tryout last season. A few games with 4th line minutes. Apparently Roy has tendencies to play the guys he likes the most as opposed to creating the most logical and fitting line ups. Anyway I could be wrong about that. Certainly hope so. He just seems like an extremely unpredictable coach.

The kid could contend for Calder when all is said and done.

 

[cgf]

I've been extremely high on Rantanen even before he was drafted. Should have gone far higher than he did (#6 at latest). The only ones with clear edge over him are obviously McDavid, Eichel and maybe Hanifin and Provorov. Between Marner and Strome, anyone of the three could end up being the best player. He's just a force with that skating, size and the skill. Basically a handout from the Sharks to the Avs, a bit like Columbus giving up JP to Oilers. The only thing that worries me is Roy. Rantanen wasn't really given a chance on his tryout last season. A few games with 4th line minutes. Apparently Roy has tendencies to play the guys he likes the most as opposed to creating the most logical and fitting line ups. Anyway I could be wrong about that. Certainly hope so. He just seems like an extremely unpredictable coach.

The kid could contend for Calder when all is said and done.

Mikko was also put on Soderberg's wing during his initial time with the team, and the big swede had his best season yet this past year.

Yes he played on the 4th line for a few games later in the year; but that was because he was only coming up for a couple of games as the team wasn't going to start his ELC that late into the game.

 

[vaiski]

I feel like Rantanen is a guy everyone is sleeping on. Colorado is a smaller fanbase and Rantanen gets overshadowed by other prospects in North-America. In Finland it's all about Laine-Puljujärvi-Aho. At 19 he is dominating against men with his combination of speed and strength. Just imagine what he'll do with man strength in his prime. He has great vision and smarts to go with that. To me, his potential is sky high as one of the most complete players in the league.

 

[lardneau]

I feel like Rantanen is a guy everyone is sleeping on. Colorado is a smaller fanbase and Rantanen gets overshadowed by other prospects in North-America. In Finland it's all about Laine-Puljujärvi-Aho. At 19 he is dominating against men with his combination of speed and strength. Just imagine what he'll do with man strength in his prime. He has great vision and smarts to go with that. To me, his potential is sky high as one of the most complete players in the league.

Agree with this 100%. Him and Barkov will both be forces that will carry their respective teams with their competitiveness and two-way play. As a Finn, this cannot happen soon enough

 

[Kuhta]

I feel like Rantanen is a guy everyone is sleeping on. Colorado is a smaller fanbase and Rantanen gets overshadowed by other prospects in North-America. In Finland it's all about Laine-Puljujärvi-Aho. At 19 he is dominating against men with his combination of speed and strength. Just imagine what he'll do with man strength in his prime. He has great vision and smarts to go with that. To me, his potential is sky high as one of the most complete players in the league.

Rantanen will never be visionary or smart player in the NHL in my opinion. I would expect a 45 point decent 2 way winger. And that is not bad!

I just don´t see what some see in him.

 

[cgf]

Rantanen will never be visionary or smart player in the NHL in my opinion. I would expect a 45 point decent 2 way winger. And that is not bad!

I just don´t see what some see in him.

What the hell are you judging him on to say something like that? Cause I'm genuinely baffled by how anyone could watch him and come away thinking he was anything but extremely intelligent & creative.

 

[BB88]

Rantanen will never be visionary or smart player in the NHL in my opinion. I would expect a 45 point decent 2 way winger. And that is not bad!

I just don´t see what some see in him.

That is just wow

 

[Kuhta]

What the hell are you judging him on to say something like that? Cause I'm genuinely baffled by how anyone could watch him and come away thinking he was anything but extremely intelligent & creative.

0+0 in 9 NHL games, not dominating in Liiga and being a secondary player in WJC behind the first line.

I just think that the pattern is likely carry to NHL, I don´t expect him to be a first line player in the NHL.

 

[BB88]

0+0 in 9 NHL games, not dominating in Liiga and being a secondary player in WJC behind the first line.

I just think that the pattern is likely carry to NHL, I don´t expect him to be a first line player in the NHL.

He didn't play in Liiga last year, and yeah he was pretty good on a brutal team in his draft year.
How about winning rookie of the year title in the AHL with Vatrano as a 19y old?
Or Rantanen being Finlands best player on the last 2 games at the WJC.

He played 8 mins per game in the NHL, in zero offensive situations, you don't judge players potential with that.

Rantanen has potential to be high end 2way winger in the NHL, not some 45 point mjehh player, he could hit 45 points next year as a rookie.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

0+0 in 9 NHL games, not dominating in Liiga and being a secondary player in WJC behind the first line.

I just think that the pattern is likely carry to NHL, I don´t expect him to be a first line player in the NHL.

First and third are small sample sizes. He was the best player on his Liiga team and dragged them to wins in the 2nd half of the season.

 

[cgf]

0+0 in 9 NHL games, not dominating in Liiga and being a secondary player in WJC behind the first line.

I just think that the pattern is likely carry to NHL, I don´t expect him to be a first line player in the NHL.

Take a look at what he did in Liiga after coming back from the WJC he was healthy for & was exceptional at; and try to remember just how godawful his team was...especially after dumping all of their vets late in the year.

Then remind yourself of who Finland's best player in the SF & Finals was at this past WJC...the one that Mikko was playing injured at.

Maybe consider looking at the way he absolutely dominated the AHL and how he transformed that Rampage team; which was amongst the worst in the AHL without him; into a team genuinely pushing for a playoff spot with him in the lineup. He took over countless games for that team with his intelligence, skill & creativity. Out producing the much more discussed Nylander in the process.

And finally; consider that the last of those NHL games were spent centering a 4th line with Cody McCleod and Andreas Martinsen on it. While for the first ones he played with Borna Rendulic during the only NHL-games of Borna's career, and a still-getting-settled-in Soderberg. Seeing minor minutes throughout. Or that judging a kid based on the #s he puts up in the first few NHL games of his career is simply stupid.

You seem to be trying really hard not to be impressed by Mikko, and in the process you've abandoned any pretense of reasonability; mixing negative spin with out-right inaccuracies in a way that could impress even American tv-journalists.

 

[Ivan13]

No matter how clueless they are people like to comment on players.

 

[Ippenator]

Rantanen will never be visionary or smart player in the NHL in my opinion. I would expect a 45 point decent 2 way winger. And that is not bad!

I just don´t see what some see in him.

I have to say that I agree with this post pretty much. To me Rantanen has been a pretty much overrated Finnish prospect. A bit in the similar way as Barkov to some extent. Don't take me wrong though, as both are magnificent prospects, and I definitely do see Barkov as one of the players in the best tier of the young and promising Finnish players. And Rantanen is definitely a tier lower, although a good prospect definitely too. But I don't see him very special still. He has size and pretty good hockey IQ, but he has pretty abysmal shot for that size of a player and he also lacks way too much drive and a killer instinct in his game.

It's a bit hard to explain, but some players have this real killer instinct, and from the best Finnish prospects I see that Laine, Aho and most probably Puljujärvi have it. Barkov seems to lack some of it in a similar way that Rantanen does, but Barkov compensates it still with his very complete and high skillset in general.

I just really don't see that Rantanen will ever become a player that will score at least more than about 50 points in the NHL. But of course that would already mean that he would be a pretty darn good NHL player, if he would ever get 50 points.

 

[Huokaus]

I kind of agree with Ippenator above about Rantanen. Not about Barkov though; Barkov doesn't need to have a killer instinct, he's such a robot that he'll be as effective as possible anyway.

At the moment my expectations/realistic hopes are that Rantanen becomes a prime Filppula kind of player; good 2nd liner and very reliable two-way player, which of course is very nice already. I do admit that I have troubles seeing most of Finnish prospects getting even close to their projected ceilings simply because sans Barkov (and to a lesser extent some players like Ristolainen etc.) there hasn't been anyone very close in like a decade. I'd love it if these young players proved me wrong though, but I guess I'm a pessimist; it's a positive surprise if someone makes it, but I won't be too disappointed if they don't

 

[tigervixxxen]

Just watch that video and you'll see the shot he has. I watched every single game he played in this year and Rantanen is a difference maker. He doesn't have to be a shooter like Laine to be a finisher. He should have had the gold medal winning goal at the WJC. What gets underrated is his performance in the AHL. People look at the points and say yeah that's good but so what. It's not just the points but it's how he did it, he was incredibly consistent and clutch. That's team basically tanked except for the first and last months of the season, nobody comprehends how hard he had to work to get a point every night. After his first month in the league he had 6 games he didn't register a point. He was a +20 on a team with a -27 goal differential. People didn't see how he can just turn it up to another gear when the team needs it. Watch that video and see how many of those goals were late game or OT. So I don't really care to put a number on what he can do at the NHL level, it's not about that for me. I know he's a difference maker and when he gets the chance he will make an impact at the NHL level. Because he's an Avs prospect and because he's not flashy he absolutely does get underrated.

 

[cgf]

I have to say that I agree with this post pretty much. To me Rantanen has been a pretty much overrated Finnish prospect. A bit in the similar way as Barkov to some extent. Don't take me wrong though, as both are magnificent prospects, and I definitely do see Barkov as one of the players in the best tier of the young and promising Finnish players. And Rantanen is definitely a tier lower, although a good prospect definitely too. But I don't see him very special still. He has size and pretty good hockey IQ, but he has pretty abysmal shot for that size of a player and he also lacks way too much drive and a killer instinct in his game.

It's a bit hard to explain, but some players have this real killer instinct, and from the best Finnish prospects I see that Laine, Aho and most probably Puljujärvi have it. Barkov seems to lack some of it in a similar way that Rantanen does, but Barkov compensates it still with his very complete and high skillset in general.

I just really don't see that Rantanen will ever become a player that will score at least more than about 50 points in the NHL. But of course that would already mean that he would be a pretty darn good NHL player, if he would ever get 50 points.

It's hard to believe you've watched him play at all over the past 1.5 years when you make comments like this. He doesn't use his shot enough, as he's more of a playmaker than a goal scorer; and that is a fair complaint given his skills & creativity; but when he does use his shot it's f***in lethal. Not Laine level, but only clearly behind Laine's amongst the hyped young Finnish forwards.

And Killer instinct? The kid only stepped up and took over in the SF & Final when Laine & co were shut out; despite playing through an injury that required a few weeks off after the WJC...after having been the only Finn worth a damn at the WJC the previous year. Nevermind the countless AHL games, where the result was hanging in the balance until Rantanen took over the match and decided it in SA's favor. If you're a person who believes that some players just have "it"; then you can't watch Mikko play with any regularity and doubt that he has "it" coming out of his ass. Kid's clutch as f***

 

[slobbergob]

I have to say that I agree with this post pretty much. To me Rantanen has been a pretty much overrated Finnish prospect. A bit in the similar way as Barkov to some extent. Don't take me wrong though, as both are magnificent prospects, and I definitely do see Barkov as one of the players in the best tier of the young and promising Finnish players. And Rantanen is definitely a tier lower, although a good prospect definitely too. But I don't see him very special still. He has size and pretty good hockey IQ, but he has pretty abysmal shot for that size of a player and he also lacks way too much drive and a killer instinct in his game.

It's a bit hard to explain, but some players have this real killer instinct, and from the best Finnish prospects I see that Laine, Aho and most probably Puljujärvi have it. Barkov seems to lack some of it in a similar way that Rantanen does, but Barkov compensates it still with his very complete and high skillset in general.

I just really don't see that Rantanen will ever become a player that will score at least more than about 50 points in the NHL. But of course that would already mean that he would be a pretty darn good NHL player, if he would ever get 50 points.

When you carry the offense for an AHL team all by yourself as a rookie this becomes BS by default.

 

[cgf]

Just watch that video and you'll see the shot he has. I watched every single game he played in this year and Rantanen is a difference maker. He doesn't have to be a shooter like Laine to be a finisher. He should have had the gold medal winning goal at the WJC. What gets underrated is his performance in the AHL. People look at the points and say yeah that's good but so what. It's not just the points but it's how he did it, he was incredibly consistent and clutch. That's team basically tanked except for the first and last months of the season, nobody comprehends how hard he had to work to get a point every night. After his first month in the league he had 6 games he didn't register a point. He was a +20 on a team with a -27 goal differential. People didn't see how he can just turn it up to another gear when the team needs it. Watch that video and see how many of those goals were late game or OT. So I don't really care to put a number on what he can do at the NHL level, it's not about that for me. I know he's a difference maker and when he gets the chance he will make an impact at the NHL level. Because he's an Avs prospect and because he's not flashy he absolutely does get underrated.

Or I should've just let TV handle this.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

What a strange turn this thread has taken lol


I can't wait to see what Mikko does for the Avs next season

 

[Hagged]

What a strange turn this thread has taken lol


I can't wait to see what Mikko does for the Avs next season

I expect a disappointing rookie season point totals. But good to great defensive game.

To me Rantanen has always been more of a "third d-man" type.

15-30 points next season, and after adjusting a 50-60 point player. I don't see the dynamic offensive player at the NHL level. He's far too defense oriented and it seemed to hinder his production at times already at the AHL level.

His play style would suit shut down lines the best, but I think he will end up in the top 6 due to his top notch playmaking skills. His best attributes are his positioning and stickwork in the D-zone though, possibly an elite NHL level PK-player in the making after adjusting, in the mold of prime Mikko Koivu.

And whether or not his goal totals was affected by him refusing to shoot or his shot arsenal, even Markus Granlund had more goals in his rookie season in the AHL. Luckily Rantanen is more of a playmaker anyway, so obviously he has a brighter future ahead of him. Just don't expect him to be a 20 goal scorer at the NHL level anytime soon.

 

[cgf]

Mikko's an excellent defensive forward, but he's not a defense first player.

 

[Satastic]

I'm happy with Meier, but I was really hoping for the Shakrs to draft him

Colorado has a gem in him