Colorado Avalanche prospect #1 — F Mikko Rantanen
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Mikko Rantanen poses with team executives after being selected as the number ten overall pick to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche had the tenth overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft and was extremely lucky to have gotten their hands on the No. 1 ranked European skater Mikko Rantanen. The 6-foot-4 forward is extremely versatile, being able to play any one of the three forward positions. The 2014-15 campaign was his first full professional season, but he had collected another 52 games with the pros prior to that.
Rantanen is big and strong enough to play in the NHL right away. All he has to do is convince the Colorado Avalanche’s management at training camp. He would also be eligible to play in the AHL, as he was drafted right out of Europe, but it is unclear if he would prefer to play in Finland instead, if he doesn’t make the NHL right away.
NHL-ready: 2015-16
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Next: 5 Prospects That Can Make The Jump This Year
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