Bold Predictions: Mikko Rantanen

Introducing Bold Predictions where we look to answer those questions we have burning in the back of our head going into the next season and look to find insight from you the fans. We kick this series off with everyone’s favorite Finn, Mikko Rantanen.

Question: Over or Under 29 goals for Mikko Rantanen in 2017-18?

A Case for Over: On an offensively starved Avalanche team last season, Rantanen led the Avalanche in goals as an NHL rookie with 20. As the season went along, he appeared to become more and more comfortable as he racked up the goals. He seems poised to continue that goal scoring along side Nathan MacKinnon in his second NHL season.

A Case for Under: While Rantanen may have had a strong rookie campaign, he still skates like a baby deer and is subject to a sophomore slump. The Avalanche only boasted one 20-goal scorer last season in Rantanen, and the team is not expected to do much more. While we can expect more goals from Rantanen and an Avalanche team that was dreadful last season at scoring, 30 may be a bit much.

Prediction: Under. Rantanen improves upon last year and is one of the Avs’ top goal scorers with 28 goals.

What do you think?