Dallas Stars' Mikko Rantanen to miss time after Olympics injury

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Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen is expected to miss at least the first game or two after returning from the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he suffered a lower body injury during Finland's semifinal loss to Canada. Rantanen, the Stars' leading scorer this season, did not play in Finland's bronze medal win over Slovakia.

Why it matters

Rantanen's injury is a significant blow to the Stars, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. As the team's top scorer, his absence could make it more difficult for Dallas to maintain their position in the standings.

The details

Rantanen was injured during Finland's 3-2 loss to Canada in the Olympic semifinal on February 20. He did not play in Finland's 6-1 win over Slovakia the following day, where they won the bronze medal. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said he doesn't expect Rantanen to play in the team's first game back, and possibly the first two games.

• Rantanen was injured during Finland's Olympic semifinal loss to Canada on February 20, 2026.
• Rantanen did not play in Finland's bronze medal win over Slovakia on February 21, 2026.
• The Dallas Stars host the Seattle Kraken on February 26, 2026 and the Nashville Predators on February 28, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Stars will monitor Rantanen's recovery and provide updates on when he may be able to return to the lineup.