Denver Post · Sep 14, 2015
Mikko Rantanen a rising rookie
Mikko Rantanen, skating at the Family Sports Center in July, was the 10th pick in the NHL draft this year.(Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Finnish forward Mikko Rantanen, who fell into the Avalanche's open arms with the No. 10 pick at the NHL draft in June, appears to have the size, skill and compete level to make his big-league debut at age 18.
That summer-long speculation will become a full-fledged science project Monday when the Avs begin a three-day rookie camp at their Centennial headquarters.
Rantanen, 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, was among a handful of the 211 players in his draft class to be tendered an entry-level NHL contract, and he signed a maximum deal of $925,000 plus bonuses in July.