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Colorado Avalanche: Last Game for Mikko Rantanen

By Nadia Archuleta

Mar 20, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) keeps an eye out for the puck as Edmonton Oilers left winger Matt Hendricks (23) battles with Avalanche right winger Mikko Rantanen (96) by the net during the third period at Rexall Place. Colorado Avalanche won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) keeps an eye out for the puck as Edmonton Oilers left winger Matt Hendricks (23) battles with Avalanche right winger Mikko Rantanen (96) by the net during the third period at Rexall Place. Colorado Avalanche won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Colorado Avalanche right wing hasn’t been a big splash since returning the the lineup. Will he get sent back to the San Antonio Rampage?

It’s unfair to say that Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen has struggled since his return to the lineup in replacement of injured centers Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon. After all, Rantanen is a 20-year-old rookie with only a few months’ of experience with the North American game. And Duchene and MacKinnon left big skates to fill.

It’s unfair to say Rantanen is struggling, but it’s true. Since returning to the lineup, Mikko has just one shot on goal in two games. I saw the shot — it came against the Philadelphia Flyers, and the puck was rolling on him. He never had a chance.

Rantanen is skating on the fourth line with Cody McLeod and Jack Skille. He’s only seeing an average 7:50 of ice time, and he’s not playing his natural position of right wing. That’s not a lot of time and not exactly ideal conditions. Those, however, are the conditions head coach Patrick Roy has to offer as the Colorado Avalanche struggle with their arch nemesis Minnesota Wild for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

As coach Roy said in a post-game presser, he’s not trying to give players ice time to see how they’re playing. He’s got the whole team to consider.

And that’s why Mikko Rantanen is likely to be playing his last NHL game of the year against the Minnesota Wild. (Yet another reason to hate them.)

The Colorado Avalanche have an excellent system for developing young talent. They conduct rookie training camps in the summer and give prospects a chance at training camp. That’s no different than any other team.

What sets the Avalanche apart is their commitment to not using a player before he’s ready. Colorado has no problem placing players in the minor leagues to let them get experience. In fact, the preferred method is to let them spend at least a whole year in the AHL getting confidence.

That’s been the stated plan since Rantanen was sent down in October. And he’s been tearing it up at the AHL level, earning 21 goals and 31 assists in 44 games.

Thus far, that excellence hasn’t translated to the NHL. His placement on the fourth line is far from ideal. McLeod and Skille are both capable NHL veterans, but they’re playing a grinder’s role. That’s not Rantanen’s eventual role. He’d be better placed on the third line with power forward Jarome Iginla.

Coach Roy can’t afford to do that right now. As he pointed out in the presser, Rantanen hasn’t earned his trust yet. No knocks — he’s simply not good enough on the big faceoffs yet. When coach Roy puts his third line out, they’re often in the defensive zone, and those are big faceoffs.

Coach Roy is optimistic. “I’m sure he’ll earn my trust eventually.”

That’s not going to happen in the game against the Minnesota Wild, though. Even if Rantanen has a huge game — and we all hope he does, helping put the nail in the Wild’s coffin — that’s only one in three games.

Normally the Colorado Avalanche might give him the chance anyway, especially since Duchene and MacKinnon are both highly unlikely even for the road trip that starts Monday. However, after the Minnesota game, Rantanen’s next match burns a year off his entry-level contract.

Again, the Colorado Avalanche might consider ignoring that. However, with the expansion draft looming, the team has to consider the future even while playing in the present. If they burn a year off Rantanen’s contract now, they’ll have to either protect or expose him when the expansion draft happens.

There’s simply no reason to risk that now — the return isn’t great enough. No knocks on Rantanen — he has so much potential. However, the Colorado Avalanche like to do right by their young talent. Keeping Mikko in the only spot they have available for him — on the grinder line — isn’t helpful to his development.

What options do the Colorado Avalanche have? I think we could see the resurrection of Matt Duchene. I’m not saying he should play through an injury. I’m saying he will if given half the chance — he’s been waiting his whole career to be the difference-maker he can be right now.

If that doesn’t happen — and I really hope Duchene doesn’t do damage to himself and the team by returning prematurely — the Colorado Avalanche will probably send Mikko Rantanen back down and recall either Joey Hishon or Andrew Agozzino.

Next: Barrie Should be a Forward

So, Avs Nation, enjoy Mikko Rantanen’s play against the Minnesota Wild. It’s likely to be the last time we see him in an Avalanche uniform until next season.

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