In a twist that could shake up the NHL and Olympic landscapes, Finnish winger Mikko Rantanen has been sidelined with a lower-body injury, just as Finland gears up to face Slovakia for the bronze medal. The news comes from Lejionat’s Jaakko Pertilla, who confirmed Rantanen's absence from the lineup.
Rantanen was a crucial player in Finland's semi-final clash against Canada, where he opened the scoring and clocked 16:09 on the ice across 25 shifts. The 29-year-old has been a standout performer in the tournament, leading Finland with two goals and four assists over five games, while averaging 18:14 of ice time.
His injury isn't just a blow for Finland; it's significant for his NHL team, the Dallas Stars, too. Rantanen has been a powerhouse this season, leading the Stars with 20 goals and 49 assists in 54 games, and logging over 20 minutes per game. Any potential absence in the NHL could have serious implications for the team's playoff push.
According to Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet, the injury occurred in the third period against Canada, but the good news is it’s not considered season-ending. Rantanen will be assessed upon his return to Dallas to determine the severity and potential recovery timeline.
Stepping into Rantanen's shoes on Finland’s top line is Oliver Kapanen, who has been largely on the sidelines during the tournament. Meanwhile, Eeli Tolvanen is set to make a return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch in the game against Canada.
As the hockey world holds its breath, all eyes will be on Rantanen's recovery and how Finland adjusts without their star winger.