When Mikko Rantanen was called up from the San Antonio Rampage on October 24, it was the beginning of his full-time NHL career. After a staggered nine-game stint with the Avalanche last year, Rantanen was expected to open the season as a member of the Avalanche and be given big minutes right away. An ankle injury at the end of Colorado’s first Rookie Showcase game against San Jose changed those plans and resulted in a brief minor league stint.
Since getting back into the lineup three games ago, Rantanen has changed the dynamic of the Avalanche forward corps and his role as the right wing on a line with Mikhail Grigorenko and Nathan MacKinnon has helped spark Colorado’s most dominant line in that time in terms of driving play.