Finland coach says Mikko Rantanen is ‘fine’ for 4 Nations Face-Off opener vs. USA

With injuries plaguing Team Finland heading into the tournament, they can breathe a sigh of relief as head coach Antti Pennanen says Mikko Rantanen is “fine” for Thursday vs. USA.

Rantanen, who was recently traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, was recently named as one of Finland’s alternate captains.

The Hurricanes forward was out of the lineup on Saturday versus the Utah Hockey Club due to a lower-body injury.

It’s been a long road for the Finns, who have lost key players already due to injury.

Finland’s defense corps are without Dallas Stars‘ defenseman Miro Heiskanen and Toronto Maple Leafs‘ blueliner Jani Hakanpaa, who are both out with injury. The Buffalo Sabres‘ Henri Jokiharju and the New York Rangers’ Urho Vaakanainen were named their replacements.

On Sunday, it was announced that Ottawa Senators defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo would replace Rasmus Ristolainen.

Acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in late January, Rantanen has since made six appearances with the Hurricanes. He has recorded one goal and one assist for two points alongside 21 shots, four penalty minutes, and a plus-one rating. On the season, through 55 contests with the Avalanche and Hurricanes, Rantanen has posted 66 points counting 26 goals and 40 assists.

Originally chosen 10th overall by the Avalanche in the 2015 NHL Draft, the 28-year-old spent part of 10 seasons with the Denver-based club where prior to his arrival in Carolina he had collected 287 goals with 394 assists for 681 points through 619 career contests. Over the past two seasons, Rantanen has eclipsed the 100-point plateau, while in 2021-22 he hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche after putting up 25 points counting five goals and 20 assists through 20 games en route to the championship.