Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen has been suspended one game by the NHL Department of Player Safety following his second game misconduct for physical infractions this season. The automatic ban stems from incidents in recent games against the New York Islanders and Calgary Flames. Rantanen will miss Tuesday's game against the Edmonton Oilers.
Mikko Rantanen, a top-line producer for the Dallas Stars with 10 goals and 18 assists in 22 games, leads the NHL with 57 penalty minutes this season. The 29-year-old forward received an automatic one-game suspension under NHL Rule 23.6 after accumulating two game misconducts for physical infractions without playing 41 consecutive games in between. This marks his first suspension in a decade-long NHL career.
The sequence began on November 18 during a 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders. With less than 30 seconds left in regulation, Rantanen hit Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov, who went face-first into the boards and required assistance to leave the ice. Officials assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct. Romanov sustained an upper-body injury, underwent shoulder surgery, and faces a 5-6 month recovery, ending his regular season. Rantanen defended the play post-game, stating, “I never try to be dirty on purpose,” and insisted he would never “bury a guy from behind” intentionally, claiming he was clipped by Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield beforehand. The Department of Player Safety did not issue further discipline for that incident alone.
The second misconduct occurred on Saturday in a 3-2 shootout loss at the Calgary Flames. At 16:47 of the second period, Rantanen boarded Flames forward Matt Coronato, resulting in a bloody face for Coronato, who scored earlier but returned to finish the game. Rantanen received a five-minute major for the hit, another five-minute major for fighting Jonathan Huberdeau, and a 10-minute game misconduct. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan noted, “Rantanen was committed to hitting Coronato,” adding that Coronato turned at the last minute.
Additionally, Rantanen was fined $2,000 on Friday for a second offense of diving/embellishment. The suspension, announced Sunday, November 23, 2025, highlights concerns about his physical play amid strong offensive output. For the Stars, losing Rantanen is a blow as they adjust without him against the Oilers.