W/C Mikko Rantanen (2015, 10th, COL) II
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cgf
FireBednarsSuccessor
Mikko regularly makes my jaw drop with what he does when the puck is on his stick. He just doesn't have the famous father, he doesn't have Nylander's pre-draft numbers...though going PPG after the WJC on a team that shipped a lot of vets out ain't something to sneeze at...his AHL team is mediocre, his NHL team gets limited national attention, and he's a big guy who's two-way play is often noted; so people just assume he's not spectacular with the puck, but he is.
I'd be doing cartwheels if he ends up another Lehtonen and can win a selke from the wing; but I think that comparison has hurt Mikko's perception in some ways. As he's just not Lehtonen-special defensively, and it keeps people from realizing that he is more dynamic with the puck. That's why I've kept pushing the Wheeler/Vorcek hybrid comparison instead.
He's been back on the wing with Hishon centering him for the past few.
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tigervixxxen
Optimism=Delusional
Yeah he's very skilled and it's his hockey sense that puts him a level above just how he knows where the puck is going to be and what to do with it. He has great hands and a great shot but he does have a pass first mentality. I think only 4 of his goals have come on the PP but he does get a lot of assists there. Just the difference he makes on his team, linemates when he's on the ice is astonishing. I've seen plenty of that team with and without him. For me it's not so much the points, which are nice and it helps him get recognition, but it's how he changes the game when he's on the ice. Mikko is a special player no doubt.
AvsGuy
Hired the wrong DJ again
cgf
FireBednarsSuccessor
Nah, they made up for the Stuart contract by giving us our picks back on day 2 of the draft. We still owe them a solid for taking Meier.
What a prospect this kid is. As a Leaf fan not seeing Landeskog much at the same age, can anyone tell me how they compare in different areas of the game at the same age ?
Landeskog was more physical and shoots more I guess. But Rantanen is a lot more creative, a better playmaker and IMO has more upside. Landeskog was very NHL ready though.
HockeyHistorian
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- Mar 17, 2015
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I'd say Rantanen is very NHL ready as well. He has NHL size, strength, two-way game, and skill. Roy and Sakic just seem to prefer that he play in the AHL at the moment for some reason.
This is pure speculation, of course, but I think it's not unreasonable to assume that he could have scored around 0.5 - 0.7 points per game in the NHL already, given top 6 minutes with proper linemates.
This is pure speculation, of course, but I think it's not unreasonable to assume that he could have scored around 0.5 - 0.7 points per game in the NHL already, given top 6 minutes with proper linemates.
I'm not saying he isn't, but he's not going to be that flashy player that is full of finesse and dangles between 2-3 players before scoring a highlight reel goal. Not the best comparison, but it's like comparing Mark Stone and Bobby Ryan. Ryan will regularly score those highlight reel goals, whereas Stone is capable of doing that same play, he often chooses the less flashy, higher percentage play. They both have a similar production, but Ryan's goals are much prettier.
Rantanen definitely has more potential then Landeskog. Landy is a real meat and potatoes type of player, drives the net hard, physical, 200 foot game. He's not a guy who can regularly create something out of nothing, make slick passes, slick moves, etc. Landy is what he is at this point. He's a 55-65 Point Powerforward, who's more then willing to initiate contact, go to the dirty areas and score the dirty goals. He's also a fantastic bordering on elite two way player. A Winger version of David Backes is how I would describe him.
Rantanen is just so much more creative with the way he plays. He has the size and tools to play that style that Landeskog does, but he just has so much more to offer then that as well. He's the complete package. I think what really separates him from Landy and puts his potential so high is the way he thinks the game. His IQ is off the charts in both ends of the ice, and he can read the play and make decisions ridiculously fast because of his IQ. It allows him to anticipate the play more rather then just be reading it.
Rantanen is just so much more creative with the way he plays. He has the size and tools to play that style that Landeskog does, but he just has so much more to offer then that as well. He's the complete package. I think what really separates him from Landy and puts his potential so high is the way he thinks the game. His IQ is off the charts in both ends of the ice, and he can read the play and make decisions ridiculously fast because of his IQ. It allows him to anticipate the play more rather then just be reading it.
tigervixxxen
Optimism=Delusional
He's not going to be flashy in the sense that a smaller very skilled forward is but Mikko has plenty of highlight reel goals already. And in a way that is different than Landeskog because he does have that part of his game when he shows the hands off and blows through defensemen at times.
cgf
FireBednarsSuccessor
You're really letting Landy's form with the bum shoulder this season seep into your assessment of his skill. I would agree that Mikko's even more skilled, but that's not because Landy's just the meat n potatoes guy he's had to be this year. Where Mikko separates himself from Landy is in his ability to handle the puck and suck defenders in to him before making a pass. Landy's vision is just as strong, he just doesn't have the dangles to draw opponents to him and open his team-mates up.
Landy hits more, shoots more (even though often they're lower-% shots) and is already a top defender.
I get what you're saying...I just disagree with it. There's a reason I latched onto the Wheeler/Voracek comparison a year ago, and it's cause Mikko not only has the skill to score highlight reel goals, but because he does.
The Winter Soldier
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Mikko still looking for his first point halfway through the game. SA not playing well and lucky to be down only by 2. But Rantanen showed why he is really dangerous when he gets the puck. Was not doing much this game but got the puck at Center ice and saucered a perfect pass to his teammate that was stoned by the Stockton Goalie. Typical Rantanen, he doesn't need much to create a good offensive chance.
The Winter Soldier
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Rantanen ended up playing a much better 2nd period. Could have had 2 assists one on a high level saucer pass on a 2 on 1 where he fed a SA player point black only to be stoned by Poulin who has been outstanding this game and another where Zadorov hit the crossbar and the puck went straight down and stayed out. But as it stands, he is still looking for his first point. Much better 2nd period, and the one thing you notice about Rantanen, when he gets the puck he often makes the best high % plays for chances. He is also very adept at getting passes through where in this game a lot of his teammates passes were intercepted. Talent discrepancy. He should benefit with playing with the Avs talented top 6 players.
cgf
FireBednarsSuccessor
Well Mikko went pointless again. Guess Button was right and he is a bust. Avs should trade him and Landeskog for Atkinson, or maybe we can package him with our next two first round picks, Barrie and MacKinnon for Drouin.
izzy
go
Also very impressive is his +/- in comparison to his team. They have a -15 goal differential, many people with negative +/-s and second on the team is +9.
He is +24?
He is +24?
GREMLIN
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Yeah it's pretty ridiculous, he's been an absolute beast.
I'm not a big fan of +/- but this is a case where it means a whole lot.
The Winter Soldier
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A goal and 2 assists this weekend. Back on the scoresheet. Team is not doing as well, but tonight pulled out a game in the last min and shootout to net a badly needed win. Rantanen scored at 19:00 to get it to 2-1, and then SA tied in. And won it in the shootout.
cgf
FireBednarsSuccessor
He was also back at center this weekend. With rumors that the avs could move Mitchell, Mikko could end up cracking the team as our 3C to start.
teravaineSAROS
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- Jul 29, 2015
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post-wjc Rantanen vs post-wjc Puljujärvi in FEL?
who has/had the better:
playmaking?
hands?
scoring?
skating?
defense?
physical play?
who has/had the better:
playmaking?
hands?
scoring?
skating?
defense?
physical play?
Captain Timo
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- Dec 4, 2015
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Wanted the Sharks to get him at #9 and what he's done makes me wish that happened even more. Avs are lucky that we still employ Dough Wilson 
The Winter Soldier
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How high would Rantanen be drafted if we had a redraft today? What he has done in the AHL is argubably more impressive than any drafted player playing in junior or College hockey this year. 3rd, 4th, 5th?
I can only think of Connor having as impressive a draft + 1 year then Mikko thus far this year.
I can only think of Connor having as impressive a draft + 1 year then Mikko thus far this year.
McDavid
Eichel
Hanifin
Marner/Strome/Rantanen/Connor/Provorov
These 5 are pretty close in my opinion. He should go top 8 for sure, and wouldn't be a reach at 3.
The Winter Soldier
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For me it would be.
Mcdavid
Eichel
Provorov
Rantanen
Hanifin, Strome, Marner, Connor in no particular order. I also think others deserve top 10 billing like Barzal. But Rantanen does seem to be the one player that has really imposed his will into the top 5.
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