Game Day Guide: Stars at Avalanche

First shift 🏒

When Mikko Rantannen thought it was strange for the last month, they wait until Sunday.

The latest addition to the stars has switched from one of the esteemed players in Colorado to a lightning rod in Carolina and the heart of the future of the stars is. Yes, things were hectic. After he was surprisingly traded on January 24th and then found that he did not match the Hurricanes and was moved to Dallas, where he signed an extension of eight years by $ 12 million a season, Rantannen will return to the place on Sunday where he started this hockey Haiku.

And that could be the hardest day so far.

“It will certainly be emotional,” said Rantannen on Saturday when he met the Denver Media. “I have never been to this page in the ball arena and played in the visitor's room, so it will definitely be emotional.”

Ranties was collected by the Avalanche 10^TH Overall played in the organization in 2015 and 10 years. He was one of the team's goals and helped him win the Stanley Cup 2022. He was entitled to become an unrestricted free agent in summer, and he and the avalanche could not come to the same page for a new contract. Colorado decided to exchange him for Carolina and the move was a little surprise. Rantenne's 13 games in Carolina were short to express it, and when the Hurricanes could not carry out a contract extension that opened the romants to Dallas.

While the 28-year-old is satisfied where he is, he understands that the two trades have frustrated some people in other cities. He was the subject of many Internet speculations and said that he was looking forward to eating dinner on Saturday with his old teammates to pronounce things.

“I think it's good for me now to educate all the stuff,” he said. “I understand that it's business. It happens. It was difficult in the first week or more. It was difficult to swallow. We didn't really have the chance to talk completely. I just want to be honest and throw out the facts. “

He also wants to tell the fans how much he appreciated his time in Denver. He knows that he could break – like Duchene when he went back to the playoffs – but hopes for the best.

On the ice it is expected that the stars Hintze will bring back to the line -up after a facial injury, and rantons are expected to be in line with his Finn colleague. Lian Bichsel is also expected again after the game was missed on Friday in Winnipeg (a 4-1 defeat against the jets) with illness. Rantannen said the stars had to recover from the game on Friday.

“It's big. It could be a matchup in the playoffs, ”said Rantannen that he might be exposed to Colorado in the first round. “We have to play better. We didn't play a great game against Winnipeg, so we have to find a way to play our game and get better. “

Stars coach Pete Deboer said that Dallas would learn from the tests.

“From the coach's point of view, I am excited to see what kind of holes we can put in them and what kind of holes they are in us so that we can try to repair it in front of the playoffs,” said Deboer.

And traditionally, one of the best ways to assimilate a player in his new team is to play his old team. Moments like this have a way to connect the new boys.

“You just have to play,” said Rantannen. “Obviously it will be emotional. They are a very good team, but Dallas is also a good team. This is one reason why Dallas was on my list at the end of the day. I am very happy to be here now. “