Dallas Stars Bracing for Difficult Stretch After Mikko Rantanen Injury
Although the NHL regular season is currently paused, injuries continue to pile up — and the Stars are the latest team to feel the impact.
Dallas forward Mikko Rantanen is facing an unclear recovery timeline after suffering a lower-body injury during the 2026 Winter Olympics. The team announced Monday that he has been placed on injured reserve, with the designation made retroactive to February 20. Rantanen was hurt while representing Finland in a semifinal matchup against Team Canada, which kept him out of the bronze medal game versus Slovakia. Finland went on to dominate Slovakia 6–1 to secure bronze despite his absence.
Before the injury, Rantanen had been productive on the international stage, tallying six points in five games, including a goal in the semifinal against Canada.
Poor Timing for Dallas
The setback comes at a crucial moment in the season. While Dallas remains in solid playoff position, the team is battling for home-ice advantage. With 25 games remaining, the Stars trail the Minnesota Wild by just one point for second place in the Central Division, while the Colorado Avalanche appear more difficult to catch.
Rantanen has been a key catalyst for Dallas offensively. Through 54 games, he has recorded 69 points, including 20 goals, while averaging more than 20 minutes per night. Throughout his career, he has consistently delivered elite production, blending scoring ability, playmaking, and heavy top-line minutes — including time on the first power-play unit. His absence leaves a significant void as Dallas gears up for the postseason push.
Adjusting the Team’s Identity
The Stars’ identity revolves around puck possession and the ability to generate offense quickly. Without Rantanen in the lineup, Dallas will need to shuffle its forward combinations and lean more heavily on its depth to maintain scoring output. His combination of size, puck protection, and creativity is difficult to replace, meaning the offensive burden cannot fall solely on players like Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson.
Head coach Glen Gulutzan acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the situation, noting that Rantanen is expected to miss at least the first game or two as he undergoes further evaluation. However, the full extent of the injury remains unknown.
What’s Next
Dallas returns to action Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken before facing the Nashville Predators later in the week. A major test looms on March 6, when the Stars host the Colorado Avalanche.
For now, the organization awaits a clearer diagnosis while preparing to navigate a critical stretch without one of its most important players.
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