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

[TheForsbergShow]

Looks like he was practicing on a line with Grigorenko and Mackinnon. That should be a interesting line to watch.

 

[JJTT]

Looks like he was practicing on a line with Grigorenko and Mackinnon. That should be a interesting line to watch.

Nice.

 

[Booster*]

He will be an impact player.

 

[inthe6ix]

I don't think we can categorize him as a prospect anymore!

He skated with Mack and Grigorenko today. Here's what Mack had to say:

“He tore up the ‘A’ last year as an 18-year-old,” MacKinnon said. “He’s our top prospect and I think he’s ready. He’s 6-4, heavy, and has all the skills. A lot of big guys don’t have the best hands or best stride but he’s very quick with really good hands. Hard shot. He’s not lacking any tool. He’s a complete player.”

http://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/25/mikko-rantanen-skates-nathan-mackinnon/

Looking forward to his debut!

 

[VoidCreature]

Hope he gets off to a strong start this year. I was torn between him and Zacha at the draft. Obviously very happy with our pick, but I still love the way this guy plays.

 

[kelsier]

He was absolutely amazing in the A last season and Mackinnon's comments were spot on. This guy really hasn't got much weaknesses. Just too bad he missed the first games this season and could be out of the Calder race. But what can you do, injuries occur and that's part of the business. Pretty stoked about seeing his season opener against Laine though!

 

[gwh]

Here is something else in the major yellow fish wrapper in Finland

Rantanen is puking his guts during interval stair training this summer in the last picture.

http://www.iltasanomat.fi/nhl/art-2000001939485.html

 

[AvsCOL]

Here is something else in the major yellow fish wrapper in Finland

Rantanen is puking his guts during interval stair training this summer in the last picture.

http://www.iltasanomat.fi/nhl/art-2000001939485.html

Can't tell you how re-assuring it is to see a guy that genuinely wants to be the best, and shows it during the off-season when he's out of the spot light. Not that I enjoy seeing him puke, but to me it says that he's willing to go above and beyond what some other guys are willing to put in.


Very excited to see this kid in action. Having dirty thoughts about a Landeskog - MacKinnon - Rants line.

 

[vaiski]

Here is something else in the major yellow fish wrapper in Finland

Rantanen is puking his guts during interval stair training this summer in the last picture.

http://www.iltasanomat.fi/nhl/art-2000001939485.html

In summary, his trainer Hannu Rautala seems to imply that Mikko is greatest athletic talent he has coached. He gives high praise to his progress in terms of strength and explosiveness. He thinks Rantanen will break out this season and even goes on to speculate whether he already possesses the biggest ass in hockey.

More in depth statements and training footage can be seen here:

 

[aahola]

He was absolutely amazing in the A last season and Mackinnon's comments were spot on. This guy really hasn't got much weaknesses. Just too bad he missed the first games this season and could be out of the Calder race. But what can you do, injuries occur and that's part of the business. Pretty stoked about seeing his season opener against Laine though!

That's what, five or six games? That won't have any effect whatsoever if his season is a success.

 

[Joe MacMillan]

That's what, five or six games? That won't have any effect whatsoever if his season is a success.

Yeah the "race" hasn't even started yet, let alone being finished. I still expect Rantanen to be one of the front-runners for the Calder.

 

[kelsier]

That's what, five or six games? That won't have any effect whatsoever if his season is a success.

Five. Looking at the race this season every single game counts. Another thing to take in count for is the fact of Rantanen missing out on entire pre-season, so he's got a lot of stuff to figure out while trying to form chemistry between his future line mates. I don't know how someone can straight up say that these things have no meaning whatsoever. Unless the top guys get injuries it's going to be tough catching up. Then again everything's possible I guess.

 

[cgf]

I've only watched a few games of his but the games I have watched (1 nhl game and a few ahl) he looks very calm and confident with the puck.

He does look a lot like Jagr when using that huge frame & reach to protect the puck; he's just so calm & elegant. (not saying he's the next Jagr, as Voracek/Wheeler are my comps for him, but aesthetically/stylistically he looks like Jagr with the puck on his stick).

 

[Kuhta]

One of the most overrated prospects in my opinion. I am afraid we will read these reports about hard summer training for the next 3-4 summers while his production in the NHL will most likely top at 0,5 PPG. I am not saying it is bad, but expectations on him are a bit high I think.

 

[Ippenator]

One of the most overrated prospects in my opinion. I am afraid we will read these reports about hard summer training for the next 3-4 summers while his production in the NHL will most likely top at 0,5 PPG. I am not saying it is bad, but expectations on him are a bit high I think.

I quite much agree with this. I definitely hope I'm wrong though. He just lacks the special skills, although he is pretty good at everything. I would be extremely surprised if he would be even close to the class that Laine or Aho will be in the NHL.

 

[Menzinger]

I was super high on him for a while - but it's been puzzling why he hasn't been able to take that next step compared to a lot of the other top guys from the 2015 class.

Especially since I had initially assumed he was more developed as a player at the time of the draft

 

[Advanced stats]

That's what, five or six games? That won't have any effect whatsoever if his season is a success.

A 10 point head start for Matthews/Nylander has "no effect" on the Calder race?

 

[TheForsbergShow]

I was super high on him for a while - but it's been puzzling why he hasn't been able to take that next step compared to a lot of the other top guys from the 2015 class.

Especially since I had initially assumed he was more developed as a player at the time of the draft

The next step ? He played his first game last night after playing a few games in the AHL to get back into game form from an injury.

Yesterday was the first game of his career where he actually had more than like 10 minutes of ice time and he was easily one of the Avs best players.

It's puzzling how people fail to look a little deeper into his usage other than the GP G and A columns.

 

[Nzap]

I was super high on him for a while - but it's been puzzling why he hasn't been able to take that next step compared to a lot of the other top guys from the 2015 class.

Especially since I had initially assumed he was more developed as a player at the time of the draft

He just turned 20 and was the MvP of the entire AHL last year on a terrible team.
That's quite a good first step.
Now his NHL career really begins.

 

[Hokinaittii]

I think we should give him some more time. He's 19 (well looks like he turned 20 yesterday) and hasn't even passed 10 NHL games mark. Not to mention he probably played his best NHL game yesterday despite coming back from an injury.

It looks like Rantanen has gained a lot of speed during the summer which is impressive to see considering what kind of stud he already is and when you add that improved skating into his great all around skillset, we should expect to see him on the score sheet very soon.

I would be surprised if his skills wouldn't translate into NHL. Even if he doesn't pan out to be an elite player for the 1st line, he should have a long career in the 2nd or 3rd line in most NHL teams.

 

[BB88]

One of the most overrated prospects in my opinion. I am afraid we will read these reports about hard summer training for the next 3-4 summers while his production in the NHL will most likely top at 0,5 PPG. I am not saying it is bad, but expectations on him are a bit high I think.

Might want to watch some games.

Rantanen is going to be a beauty 2way winger, who is going to be a nightmare to play against.

I was super high on him for a while - but it's been puzzling why he hasn't been able to take that next step compared to a lot of the other top guys from the 2015 class.

Especially since I had initially assumed he was more developed as a player at the time of the draft

He played his 1st game last night, he had a high ankle sprain.
He was one of the best forwards for Colorado last night.

 

[cgf]

I quite much agree with this. I definitely hope I'm wrong though. He just lacks the special skills, although he is pretty good at everything. I would be extremely surprised if he would be even close to the class that Laine or Aho will be in the NHL.

Say what now? His intelligence, clutchtness, and elegance are certainly special. Add his great frame, excellent skating, high caliber shot, two way game; and everything else about his game that is high caliber and he's absolutely got specials skills. There's a reason some Avs have started wondering if he might not just end up the team's best forward...should MacKinnon not hit his full (PPG+) potential.

I was super high on him for a while - but it's been puzzling why he hasn't been able to take that next step compared to a lot of the other top guys from the 2015 class.

Especially since I had initially assumed he was more developed as a player at the time of the draft

Expansion draft & injury. The Avs kept him down last year after the 9 game to make his ELC slide, and he would've started this season on the big club if he hadn't gotten hurt.

 

[BB88]

Say what now? His intelligence, clutchtness, and elegance are certainly special. Add his great frame, excellent skating, high caliber shot, two way game; and everything else about his game that is high caliber and he's absolutely got specials skills. There's a reason some Avs have started wondering if he might not just end up the team's best forward...should MacKinnon not hit his full (PPG+) potential.

Ippe has been beating down Rants to hype Aho.
I really don't know why.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

I wonder what role he will fit in. You have Rantanen, Puljujärvi, Tolvanen, Vesalainen, all potential 1st/2nd liners. How good is he at goal scoring?

 

[Ippenator]

Ippe has been beating down Rants to hype Aho.
I really don't know why.

Simply because Aho is way better as a player. I am not at all impressed with Rantanen's inefficient play at the top level. Aho has scored with ease in every other top level that he has played at, except the world cup (but there the whole team was inefficient anyway).

I couldn't care less how majestic or sexy the gameplay, skating or whatever looks like when a player like Rantanen is playing, as long as he is so damn inefficient at the top level. And he is already physically a very well developed young player, unlike Aho or Laine are.

It just bothers me when some people seriously lift Rantanen in their comments to the same level that Laine and Aho are at already. He is not there definitely now and I'm practically sure he will never be even close to the player that both Laine and Aho will become. I have simply nothing else against Rantanen, except that he is damn inefficient at top level play. With last night he has already 11 games in the NHL with 0+0. He just lacks the intensity and the hunger that really good players have.