Colorado Avalanche

Rantanen’s Becoming One of Finland’s All-Time Great Players

Colorado Avalanche’s Mikko Rantanen is becoming one of Finland’s all-time great hockey players. What has he done to earn this respect?Jari

by
Old Prof
December 23, 2024

Mikko Rantanen is quickly establishing himself as one of the best finishers of his generation. Has he become one of Finland’s best players of all time? With a recent nine-game point streak, Rantanen continues to rack up the points and prove he belongs in the upper echelon of the NHL’s elite players. The winger’s ability to consistently contribute, particularly with his strong playmaking and finishing skills, is a key reason why he is now tied with Leon Draisaitl for second in the league in points, with 52 through 36 games.

Rantanen Is a True Finnish Star

Rantanen’s latest streak—four goals and 13 assists in the last nine games—puts him in a rare category alongside two of Finland’s most legendary hockey players: Teemu Selanne and Jari Kurri. Both these Hall of Famers have set impressive records for point streaks in their careers. Rantanen’s ability to match that achievement at such a young age (he’s only 28) speaks to his growing legacy.

Rantanen has been able to stay consistently productive through stretches of games, especially in a high-scoring role. That places him among the best Finnish finishers of all time. Here’s a quick look at how he stacks up against the Finnish greats who paved the way:

Player	Point Streaks of 9+ Games	Career Achievements
Mikko Rantanen	5 (and counting)	This season 52 points (T-2nd in NHL). Career, 281 goals, and 388 assists (for 669 points)
Teemu Selanne	14	1,457 points in 1,451 games, 2001 Stanley Cup, Hall of Fame
Jari Kurri	11	1,398 points, 5 Stanley Cups, Hall of Fame

Rantanen Has Become One of the NHL’s Complete Players

Rantanen has quickly grown into one of the NHL’s most complete players. His 52 points through 36 games this season show his offensive abilities. With his continued success, he’s becoming one of the most feared finishers in the game. As he chases down Selanne and Kurri’s records, Rantanen will carve his name into the annals of hockey history in Finland. With another 100-point season within reach, there’s little doubt that he will be remembered as one of the best finishers of all time.

As vital a role as he plays in the Colorado Avalanche’s success — alongside stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar — discussions about a potential trade have emerged due to concerns over salary cap management. Some fans worry about the financial challenges of keeping top talent like Rantanen while maintaining roster balance. Losing Rantanen would be a huge problem.

As a player from Finland, Rantanen continues to grow. His future in the league seems even brighter, and his place among the all-time great Finnish players is becoming increasingly secure.