With the highly anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off fast approaching, Team Finland was dealt an unexpected blow on Saturday. Carolina Hurricanes’ star forward Mikko Rantanen has been ruled out of the team’s matinee matchup against the Utah Hockey Club due to a lower-body injury.
Rantanen sustained the injury late in Thursday’s tough loss to the Minnesota Wild after taking a direct shot to the knee.
Since being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche last month, the 28-year-old winger has struggled to find his footing with the Hurricanes, registering just one goal and one assist over six games. In contrast, his production with Colorado was stellar—tallying 25 goals and 39 assists over 49 games before the trade.
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour didn’t offer much clarity on Rantanen’s availability for the upcoming international tournament, leaving Finnish management on edge. “I know it’s not serious serious, like long term, but I’m not sure what his thought is about playing (in 4 Nations) or not moving forward,” Brind’Amour said after the game.
Meanwhile, center Martin Nečas who was sent to Colorado in the blockbuster trade has flourished with his new team, notching four goals and five assists in just eight games.
Rantanen, currently in the final year of his six-year, $55.5 million contract, is set to become a free agent this summer.
A key figure for Finland, Rantanen has an impressive international resume, having won gold at the 2016 World Junior Championships and silver at the 2016 World Championships. Finland will kick off its 4 Nations campaign against the United States on Thursday at Montreal’s Bell Centre, followed by a clash with rival Sweden on Feb. 15 and a showdown against Canada on Feb. 17 in Boston.
