2. Mikko Rantanen
Mikko Rantanen just keeps on getting better and better with every year he is in the NHL. He finished the regular season with 104 points, one point shy of the season before. That is a fine example of consistency. He had 42 goals and 62 assists. Oh, by the way, he missed two games. So, hypothetically, he could have surpassed season stats from the year prior, and had the best season of his NHL career.
At even strength, he had 28 goals and 36 assists (64 points). That goal total came from 193 shots. On the power play, he had 14 goals on 78 shots, and 26 assists. While the Avalanche were playing 5-on-5 hockey, Rantanen had 24 goals and 30 assists For 54 points.
Rantanen is expected to receive a very nice contract extension in the coming weeks. He’s played so well that the Avalanche have no choice but to extend him. It would be a huge loss if the two sides were unable to come to terms on an extension, but it is hard to imagine that a deal will not get done soon. The term of the deal is expected to be a long one—around seven years, which would be tremendous.
As if anyone needs more reasons to keep Rantanen, the Avalanche have questions at two of their wing spots, with Valeri Nichushkin suspended and the uncertainty of Gabriel Landeskog’s health. The Avalanche have to prepare for the worst scenario, and trading Rantanen because he will cost a lot does not sound like a great plan. There probably likely will not be any discussion in the organization about trading him.
The Avalanche need Rantanen.