If the weight of a $55.5-million contract sits heavy on the broad shoulders of Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen, win or lose, the near-permanent smile on his face certainly doesn’t betray it.
“That’s my big thing,” Rantanen said. “If the games are not going well, I’m not coming to the rink being negative.”
Count Avalanche newcomer Pierre-Edouard Bellemare among those initially surprised by Rantanen’s even demeanor.
“He’s a goofy guy,” Bellemare said. “I didn’t know that side of him.”
Lately, Rantanen has manufactured all the positivity he can muster. His NHL All-Star selection last season did not come with a return trip in 2020.