Mikko Rantanen–
Winnipeg Hockey Talk’s evaluations of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft top prospects continue today with our featured prospect Mikko Rantanen.
League: SM-Liiga Team: TPS Turku
Position: RW Shoots: Left
DOB: Oct. 29, 1996 Birthplace: Nousiainen, Finland
Height: 6’4 Weight: 210
2014-15 SM-Liiga Stats: Regular season
Games: 56 G: 9 A: 19 Pts: 28 PIM: 22 Plus/Minus: -1
Mikko Rantanen played this past season in the SM-liiga for TPS Turku.
Achievements:
1. Selected 2nd round, 59th overall by the Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in the 2013 KHL Draft.
2. Represented Finland at the 2013-14 U18 WJC and the 2013-14 U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
3. Represented Finland at the 2014-15 U20 WJC.
4. U20 WJC Top 3 Player on Team.
Offensive Buzzwords
Mikko Rantanen is a big, skilled forward that can make plays, dominate in the corners and in front of the net. He has very good hockey sense and a solid compete level. Rantanen has better than average hands, sees the ice very well and uses his teammates effectively.
Skating
Mikko Rantanen is not the prettiest skater but he gets around the ice very well. He has good straight away speed with good balance and agility. Don’t let his awkward skating style fool you, he is very strong on his skates.
#96 Mikko Rantanen: video 3:45
Defensive Buzzwords
Mikko Rantanen has a complete 200 foot game. He works hard and he is strong on the puck in all three zones.
Prospect Analysis
Mikko Rantanen projects as a top six winger that can play on a team’s powerplay and be a responsible defensive player. He will need to learn that his size is one of his biggest assets and use it more effectively and consistently moving up to the next level. Rantanen has been playing against men since he was sixteen years old in the Finnish SM-Liiga so his transition to the NHL could be a little smoother. I have Mikko Rantanen being selected between #10-#15 with an outside shot of him being available when the Winnipeg Jets pick at #17. Keep an eye out for him Jets fans.
Projected: #10 – #15
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