Mikko Rantanen suffered a torn MCL at the 2026 Winter Olympics while representing Finland.
He played the remainder of the 2025-26 season with the injury.
What happened?
Mikko Rantanen tore his MCL in February and was forced to miss 15 games.
He returned to the ice on March 28.
The Dallas Stars' forward finished the regular season with 22 goals and 55 assists for 77 points.
Why it matters for Mikko Rantanen
Mikko Rantanen's injury affected his performance, according to general manager Jim Nill.
Nill said Rantanen was never himself after returning from the injury.
The 29-year-old forward scored one goal and added six assists for seven points in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
What comes next?
Mikko Rantanen won't require surgery in the offseason, according to Nill.
He will have the opportunity to fully recover from his injury before the next season.
Rantanen has reached the 100-point mark twice in his career, including a 105-point season in 2022-23.
The Stars finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 50-20-12 record and 112 points.
Mikko Rantanen has played in 105 career NHL playoff games, recording 44 goals and 86 assists for 130 points.
He was part of the Avalanche's 2022 Stanley Cup championship, scoring five goals and adding 20 assists for 25 points.