Mikko Rantanen missing time for the Dallas Stars after getting hurt at the Olympics
Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) passes the puck against the Utah Mammoth during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Salt Lake City. Credit: AP/Melissa Majchrzak
FRISCO, Texas — Mikko Rantanen is expected to miss some time for the Dallas Stars after returning from the Olympics, where he didn't play in Finland's win over Slovakia for the bronze medal because of a lower body injury.
“I wouldn't expect him, certainly for the first game, or maybe in the first two,” coach Glen Gulutzan said after the Stars practiced Monday.
Gulutzan said Rantanen, the Stars' leading scorer with 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists), was going to see a doctor.
The Stars host Seattle on Wednesday night and are home again Saturday against Nashville. They have a day off Sunday before road games on consecutive nights.
After getting hurt in Finland's 3-2 loss to Canada in the Olympic semifinals on Friday night, Rantanen didn't play in the 6-1 win over Slovakia on Saturday night.
Rantanen was among six Dallas players who brought home medals from the Olympics.
Jake Oettinger was the backup goalie for the United States team that won the gold medal with a 2-1 overtime win over Canada, which meant a silver for Stars defenseman Thomas Harley. Four Dallas players were on the Finland squad that won bronze: Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen.
Finland's Mikko Rantanen (96) challenges with Canada's Connor McDavid (97) during a men's ice hockey semifinal game between Canada and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Credit: AP/Hassan Ammar
