The Dallas Stars have a giant game on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, because the franchise hopes to stay atop the Western Conference. Leading as much as the competition, the organization made an official announcement regarding Mikko Rantanen’s injury status.
Dallas shared on X that the 29-year-old forward is officially being activated off the IR. One among the club’s top players is returning to motion just in time to start ramping up for the upcoming postseason.
“We’ve activated Mikko Rantanen off of IR,” announced the Stars.
Rantanen initially suffered a lower-body injury in the course of the 2026 Winter Olympics playing for Team Finland. Not only did it knock the 11-year veteran out of the Olympics, but it surely also left him out of the last 15 games for the Stars.
In 54 appearances on the ice this season, Rantanen has recorded 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists). His return is large for Dallas, because the club appears to be ready for a deep playoff run with the Stanley Cup of their sights.
Mikko Rantanen originally joined the Stars within the 2024-25 campaign after being traded twice before the deadline that season. He was initially traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes, however from the Hurricanes to the Stars. Rantanen has been a fixture in Dallas ever since.
The Stars have already got a playoff spot secured within the Central Division of the Western Conference. With 10 games remaining on the schedule, including Saturday’s contest against the Penguins, Dallas will aim to complete with the best seed possible. It also gives Rantanen the time he needs to completely prepare for the postseason.
The Dallas Stars have a giant game on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, because the franchise hopes to stay atop the Western Conference. Leading as much as the competition, the organization made an official announcement regarding Mikko Rantanen’s injury status. Dallas shared on X that the 29-year-old forward is officially being activated off the IR.

