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Mikko Rantanen's 'Weird' Message Before Stars-Avalanche Clash

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Mikko Rantanen is preparing for a unique night as he returns to Colorado for the first time since being traded to the Dallas Stars by way of Carolina.

Rantanen, who spent nearly a decade with the Avalanche before a surprising midseason trade to the Hurricanes that ended up with him moved once again to Dallas at the deadline, will face his first NHL home on Sunday.

Now wearing a Stars jersey, the 28-year-old forward acknowledged the strangeness of the situation ahead of the weekend matchup.

“It’s going to be weird, for sure,” Rantanen said. “You spend 9-10 years in one organization, and you get to know the city. Then change comes, and you have to go back there and play in the visitors’ room, so it’s going to be different.

“But it’s good to see all the players that I got to know over the years. It should be a fun game to play against your old friends.”

Rantanen’s time in Colorado was marked by success, as he scored 681 points in 619 regular-season games and played a crucial role in the team’s playoff runs, including the 2022 title-winning season.

However, after being dealt to Carolina in January, the forward was on the move again at the trade deadline, landing in Dallas on an eight-year, $96 million contract extension.

Speaking to The Athletic’s Peter Baugh after the first trade, Rantanen said he was "ready to take a significant discount from my market value” in a contract extension with Colorado, after revealing he "didn’t expect" the trade to Carolina.

"Just the fit in Dallas. I've been thinking about it a lot with my camp and myself [...] just the fit everywhere, I think that's what the position was."

Mikko Rantanen on why he signed with the Stars and not the Canes. pic.twitter.com/on4H7FdDyj
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 7, 2025

With the Hurricanes against the ropes and Rantanen refusing to commit to signing an extension before the deadline, Carolina traded him to the Stars. The 27-year-old forward agreed to an eight-year, $96 million extension with Dallas, carrying a $12 million cap hit yearly.

“I think, you know, just the fit in Dallas,” Rantanen said about his choice of the Texas-based club. “I’m thinking about it a lot with my camp and myself and everything. So, just the fit, I feel like, you know, everywhere. I think that was what the decision was.”

As Rantanen steps onto the ice at Ball Arena in Denver for the first time as an opponent, the reception from Avalanche fans remains to be seen.

"I'm happy to be (in Dallas); it's been crazy, for sure," Rantanen said. "Colorado was always where I wanted to stay, but I understand its business, and they made a decision.

"I'm here now and I'm so happy to be here, locked in for eight years with a good team and with good coaches. I'm thankful for Dallas to have the trust in me."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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