Rantanen reveals what will really be on the Stars' minds next year...and it's not the playoffs

While the Stanley Cup is always the ultimate goal in Dallas, one of the team's biggest names is already thinking about another major event, and he's pretty sure it'll be a popular topic with his teammates too.

Mikko Rantanen, who joined the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline last season, believes the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics could dominate the conversation throughout the year.

Rantanen told reporters that once the national team rosters are finalized:

"I'm pretty sure there will be a lot of Olympic talk in our room."

That prediction makes a lot of sense.

With NHL players returning to Olympic play for the first time since 2014, many Stars players are in the mix for their national squads.

Rantanen himself has already been named to Finland's preliminary roster, along with teammates Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell.

As reported by BolaVIP, Finland will face Slovakia, Sweden, and Italy in Group B, starting on February 11, 2026.

The gold medal game is scheduled for February 22.

The international excitement adds another layer to an already important year in Dallas.

Rantanen, acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes after starting the season with the Colorado Avalanche, has quickly become a vital piece of the Stars' Cup ambitions.

His addition helped GM Jim Nill win his third straight Jim Gregory Award, but the mission in Dallas remains unfinished after a playoff exit to the Oilers.

Still, Rantanen clearly sees the bigger picture.

"The last Olympics were special, even without NHL guys," he said. "But this time will be different."

For fans in Dallas, the idea of their favorite players chasing gold while chasing the Cup only adds more intrigue.

I think it's going to be fun to watch the balance between national pride and team focus unfold.