Unsigned Avalanche right winger Mikko Rantanen was ranked No. 9 among NHL wingers in the NHL Network’s countdown series Sunday, and linemate Gabe Landeskog came in 18th on the top-20 list.
Nathan MacKinnon, who usually centers Landeskog and Rantanen on what has been dubbed the MGM Line, was previously ranked No. 3 among centers.
Rantanen, a restricted free agent who was 17th on the countdown list a year ago, led the Avs in playoff scoring with six goals, eight assists and 14 points in 12 games. He missed the last eight games of the regular season with a leg injury, which he likely played through during the postseason.
Rantanen, 22, had a career-best regular season of 31 goals and 87 points in 74 games.
“He’s a guy with his big frame, his capability, the guys he’s able to play with, he’s unbelievable,” NHL Network analyst Mike Rupp said during Sunday’s show. “I think this is a great opportunity to be much higher than No. 9 next season.”
Rantanen came in one spot behind 27-year-old Artemi Panarin, who signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the New York Rangers as an unrestricted free agent July 1. Panarin’s annual average is $11.6 million.
As an RFA coming out of his entry-level contract, Rantanen could fetch an annual deal worth a club-high $8 to $10 million — but he and the Avs probably won’t settle on a deal until the dominos begin to fall among league-wide comparisons.
RFA right wingers Mitch Marner, 22, and Patrik Laine, 21, were ranked No. 5 and No. 19, respectively, on Sunday’s list and are also coming out of their entry-level deals. Left wing Matthew Tkachuk (17th) is in that same group along with Brock Boeser, Kyle Connor, Pavel Zacha and Brayden Point.
The Avalanche begins rookie camp Sept. 6 and veterans are scheduled to report Sept. 11.
NHL Network’s Top 20 wingers heading into 2019-20 season:
1. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
3. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
4. Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
5. Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
6. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
7. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
8. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers
9. Mikko Rantanen, Avalanche
10. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
11. Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets
12. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
13. Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights
14. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues
15. Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils
16. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers
17. Matthew Tkachuk, Calgary Flames
18. Gabe Landeskog, Avalanche
19. Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets
20. Phil Kessel, Arizona Coyotes
