Update On Mikko Rantanen Return Not Promising

You wouldn't know it, but the Dallas Stars have been missing one of their best players since early February. They have a 15-game unbeaten streak (14-0-1), a franchise-record-tying feat. But the last time superstar Mikko Rantanen played was back on February 4th, just six games into this streak.

Rantanen was injured while playing for Finland at the Olympics, and his return has been undetermined. Today, they got the news that it'll be at least another two weeks or so before he's back.

Mikko Rantanen is still more than 10 days to two weeks away from any possible return.

He will not go on the road with the team this week.

Roope Hintz and Radek Faksa are further away from consideration.
— Bruce LeVine (@BruceLeVinePuck) March 16, 2026

As Bruce LeVine notes, the Stars are also without another top player, Roope Hintz, who went down 10 days ago, and fourth-liner Radek Faksa.

But as for Rantanen, LeVine says he will be "more than 10 days to two weeks from any possible return." That would keep him out for another six to 10 games.

As we mentioned, however, the Stars are still humming along just fine, thanks, as their 14-0-1 streak has them within three points of the Colorado Avalanche at the top of the Central Division. Just a few weeks ago, it looked like the Avs were unapproachable in the standings. And it's not that they've been slumping or anything, going 7-3-0 in their last 10 games.

But for Dallas' sake, they'd better hope that Rantanen and Hintz are back and at full strength for the playoffs, or getting out of that beast of a division will be a tall task.

Rantanen has 20 goals and 69 points in 54 games this season with a +2 rating, in 20:12 average ice time.