The Colorado Avalanche’s top prospect Mikko Rantanen is on a mission to make the team’s opening night lineup. That plan hit a serious impediment Saturday when he was injured during a prospects scrimmage. Saturday, the team termed it a minor ankle sprain, and Sunday they announced that he’s expected to miss two-to-four weeks of play.
That timeline, at a minimum, has him missing the start of training camp. At worst, he’s not ready to play until the season starts and misses all of Colorado’s training camp.
UPDATE: Mikko Rantanen (ankle) out approximately 2-4 weeks.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 18, 2016
The 19-year-old was drafted 10th overall in the 2015 draft and had an outstanding first year of pro hockey, recording 24 goals and 60 points in 52 AHL games for the San Antonio Rampage. He also found his way into nine NHL contests but did not record a point in those games.
His season was highlighted by an appearance captaining Team Finland to a gold medal finish at the 2016 World Junior Championship.
Despite his size, he’s not an overly physical player. The 6-foot-3 212-pound forward is a great skater with a ton of offensive ability. He could easily find himself spending good time in Colorado’s top-six forward group once healthy.
