RW/C Mikko Rantanen (2015, 10th, COL)

[FinPanda]

This season he has most points in finnish U18 national team.

- TPS U20 17gp 5+13
- TPS (Liiga) 37gp 5+4
- Finland U18, Hlinka Memorial 4gp 3+4=7 +2

Against Denmark in first game U18 wc he did 3+0.

He is projected to be first rounder next year. I don't see any thread about him so I make one.

Click to read more...

 

[Keke]

Amazing kid. 6'4 great hands, great skating, great hockey sense, good shot. He has it all.

He is the 60th 100% 1st round player in 2015 draft

 

[Miqqo]

Great to see more and more Finnish prospects who's got a bit of size.

 

[thomast]

I think that he is best finnish prospect for 2015 draft. He got size, skill, smarts and he can play at every situation. Has 1 year in FEL against men under belt and 2 years at the draft.

 

[19gisigr88]

How does Rantanen compare to Barkov? What kind of game does he play?

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

This kid is sick! At 6"4, he is clearly a top 15 pick

 

[Suurikelmi]

Against Denmark in first game U18 wc he did 3+0.

Highlights from that game here, Rantanen #26: http://www.mtv.fi/sport/mm2014/uuti...tanskan---loukkaantumiset-varjostivat-voittoa

He got injured in that game and isnt playing at morning practice today so probably missing today's game at the least.
https://twitter.com/Trajamaki11/status/457428376056504320

 

[JJTT]

How does Rantanen compare to Barkov? What kind of game does he play?

He doesn't really. Barkov's game is all about defense and playmaking.

Rantanen uses his size to protect the puck well and like to challenge d-man in 1on1's. Good hands and passing game. Has also a good shot and pretty good defensive game. Skating is an obvious issue since he grew from 5'10 to 6'4 in very short time only two years ago.

edit. Looks like he will play tonight http://www.leijonat.fi/uutiset/tuor...antanen-pelaa-puolustuksessa-yksi-muutos.html

 

[wings5]

How does he compare to Laine and Puliujarvi?

 

[Quethas]

I saw this guy for the first time 1,5 years ago in a TPS's U20 pre-season game. There was lot to like in this guy. He had size, skill and hockey sense. Skating was a huge issue back then, and still is, but I thought that it will improve in time.

Half year later he played his first senior games and it seems that he is getting better and better in Liiga as his skating is improving. Skill and size was never the problem, he just didn't have the wheels to keep up with the pace of Liiga.

I consider Rantanen as a very likely first rounder next year and I think that he can pile up quite a good amount of points in Liiga next season.

 

[fr9dd9]

chl

why isnt rantanen in the lineup for TPS in the CHL games?

 

[thomast]

why isnt rantanen in the lineup for TPS in the CHL games?

Injury

 

[McLovin*]

Amazing kid. 6'4 great hands, great skating, great hockey sense, good shot. He has it all.

He is the 60th 100% 1st round player in 2015 draft

First post in the thread and already a swing and a miss

 

[BusQuets]

First post in the thread and already a swing and a miss

For a guy of his size he's pretty good skater imo.

 

[Sundinisagod]

Is he a centre or winger? I've seen him listed as both.

 

[JJTT]

Is he a centre or winger? I've seen him listed as both.

Winger, he haven't played center in few years now.

 

[Necropolis]

For a guy of his size he's pretty good skater imo.

Yeah, he certainly isn't a great skater like the poster said but he's a solid skater for his size. He's not fast but has average speed (perhaps a bit below average) and skating isn't all about speed anyway, he's a strong skater. And as far as I've heard, he has steadily improved his skating so even though he'll never be the fastest guy on the ice, for a guy who's 6'4" he should be a good skater.

 

[thomast]

He is natural C who can play wing.

 

[Jaan]

Winger, he haven't played center in few years now.

He is natural C who can play wing.

So which one is he?

 

[JJTT]

So which one is he?

Center who has been playing wing

 

[Keke]

Yeah meant that he Was a great skater for his size (considering his growth spurt) but I was in a hurry and too excited to think what I wrote.

I expect a good season from him and about 30 points + top 6 role in WJC

 

[Sundinisagod]

As a prospect at the same age, how does he stack up against Joel Armia?

 

[JJTT]

This guy needs more hype. Really impressive game vs Kärpät today. Setup Smolenak 3! times on a golden opportunities but he didn't score.

His puck moving out of the neutral zone was amazing and didn't shy away from contact either. Skating looked decent and looks like he has gained a little mass too.

 

[Eidyia]

This guy needs more hype. Really impressive game vs Kärpät today. Setup Smolenak 3! times on a golden opportunities but he didn't score.

His puck moving out of the neutral zone was amazing and didn't shy away from contact either. Skating looked decent and looks like he has gained a little mass too.

Agree. Of the three youngsters on the ice tonight (Aho, Puljujärvi, Rantanen) he was the best IMO, even though Aho was pretty good too and also scored his first Liiga goal!

 

[rt]

Scouting report?