Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

How Mikko Rantanen's injury could impact the Stars' deadline plans

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Feb 21, 2026 4:49 PM ET

Dallas Stars forward and Team Finland star forward Mikko Rantanen missed Finland’s bronze-medal game against Slovakia on Saturday. He suffered a lower-body injury in the third period of their 3-2 semifinal loss to Canada the day before.

The question now is, will it be a huge loss for Dallas? How serious is this injury?

Rantanen, who led Finland with six points (two goals, four assists) in five tournament games, was scratched for the bronze matchup. Oliver Kapanen is stepping up to the top line alongside Sebastian Aho and Artturi Lehkonen.

Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman: “Rantanen was hurt in the third period of yesterday’s game vs. Canada. Will be re-evaluated when he returns to Dallas regarding the severity and timeline of injury. EDIT: Apparently not concerned this is season-ending…but exact severity TBD.”

That the injury is not considered season-ending is good news. That Rantanen will undergo a full evaluation upon returning to Dallas is a troubling development.

Trade-deadline context for Dallas

The NHL trade deadline is March 6, 2026 — about two weeks away after the break ends. Rantanen has been a cornerstone piece after being traded for and signing a big extension last season. He’d posted 69 points (20G, 49A) in 54 games this season before the Olympics.

Dallas is in strong contention mode with core pieces like Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger and Rantanen driving a Cup push. The Stars are also said to be monitoring the market for potential additions, especially forward depth or middle-six help. If Rantanen misses any significant time, do the Stars need to find someone who can fill the hole he potentially creates with his absence?

GM Jim Nill has cap flexibility post-break (potentially $3M+ base, more with LTIR), and the club is positioned as buyers rather than sellers.

Does the injury change trade plans?

It’s a fair question, but to think this will dramatically alter anything is a stretch.

The lower-body injury could be short-term. If it is, Dallas can’t use its cap space to add and would need to consider having the room needed in the postseason. Dallas has time to evaluate Rantanen before March 6. If it’s a minor tweak (e.g., one to two weeks missed), it won’t derail their buyer status.

If Rantanen is out, it shouldn’t force the Stars to pivot from “going for it.” The Stars are still in a great place even without big moves. The injury adds caution but doesn’t flip them to sellers or force a fire sale.

This is a watch-and-see situation. If the evaluation reveals something more serious, it could amplify the urgency for a trade, pushing Dallas toward a rental forward or a depth piece. But with “not season-ending” as the report out there right now, it’s unlikely to dramatically alter plans.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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