Dallas Stars provide an update on Mikko Rantanen's injury and return timeline
Photo credit: Jerome Miron -Imagn Images
Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan provided a sobering update on Mikko Rantanen following Monday's practice session.
The high-scoring winger is meeting with doctors today to determine the full extent of his recent ailment.
Rantanen was injured in the third period of Finland's semi-final loss to Team Canada and did not play in the Bronze Medal game.
Gulutzan admitted the roster will "miss him for a little bit here" as the team prepares for a critical stretch.
It is a massive blow for a Dallas squad that relies heavily on Rantanen's elite puck protection and finishing.
The bench boss ruled him out for the next game and expressed serious doubt about his availability for the second.
Beyond this week, the coaching staff remains tight-lipped, refusing to speculate on a potential return date.
Losing a player of this caliber forces a complete reshuffle of the top six forward group during a playoff hunt.
Next man up mentality for Dallas
The Stars currently sit in a tight race where every point in the standings feels magnified by the absence of stars.
Rantanen has been a powerhouse this season, consistently driving play and making life difficult for opposing defenders.
His ability to control the pace of the game is almost impossible to replicate with a single call-up from the AHL.
Expect the power play to look significantly different without his signature left-handed shot available on the flank.
Gulutzan will likely lean on his veteran core to bridge the gap while the medical team evaluates the long-term outlook.
If this absence stretches into next month, the front office might have to look at external options to bolster the depth.
For now, the locker room must find a way to manufacture goals without one of their most dangerous offensive weapons.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 23|161 ANSWERS Dallas Stars provide an update on Mikko Rantanen's injury and return timeline Can the Dallas Stars maintain their playoff positioning without Mikko Rantanen in the lineup? | ||
| Yes | 72 | 44.7 % |
| No | 89 | 55.3 % |
| List of polls | ||