Colleen Flynn
What is it about Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen that make it “easy” for Ross Colton to produce? The 28-year-old has eight points in eight games and has spent several of those on the top line with the elite forwards.
“It’s about just talking about things that happen on the ice — whoever comes, if it’s brand new guy on the line,” Rantanen said. “You want to communicate before the game and see where we want him to play and what kind of things we want him to do. It’s just about communicating — try to get on the same page because if you’re on the same page as a line, it usually goes a lot better.”
Rantanen is a vocal part of the leadership group on and off the ice. He also focuses on leading by example as his linemate MacKinnon does, which is why their teammates elevate their games due to their encouragement and guidance.
The Avalanche have won their last four games after a 0-4-0 start. The top line has a combined 17 points in those wins and Cale Makar has notched seven. The last three wins were on the road, which may have played a part in the team’s turnaround.
Ross Colton Says Linemates ‘Make It Easy’ For Him
“Maybe the road helped a little bit. I think we obviously played better overall but maybe on the road it’s easier to play sometimes just defense because the crowd is against you …,” the 27-year-old forward said. “I think it was smart hockey we played which is important. If we can establish that smart hockey overall, that’s how you win four in a row.”
Head coach Jared Bednar has parameters for a player he wants with MacKinnon and Rantanen, and Colton checks those boxes. Six of Colton’s seven goals have assists from either or both MacKinnon and Rantanen.
“That’s a prototypical player that I like to put with Mikko and Mac. Whether that’s Lehky (Artturi Lehkonen), Val (Nichushkin) Landy (Gabriel Landeskog), or Colts (Colton) recently. Number one, you got to be a trusted defensive player because you’re playing against other teams top guys all the time. Number two, you got to be able to handle those types of minutes.
“He may be the fourth guy down the list on this, but he’s played really well, and he’s done it. I think he’s excited for that opportunity, and he’s sort of thriving in that role,” Bednar said last week.
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Colton played last season at center but Bednar had to move some players around the lineup after Jonathan Drouin was injured in the first game of the season. One of those moves was sliding Colton over to left wing with MacKinnon and Rantanen. He has experience playing both positions, and has shifted from one to the other within the same game.
“Just trying to play my game. Getting elevated to play with Mikko and Nate, they kind of make it easy for me out there. So again, just play my game. Try and play fast, check pucks back and get into the open areas. Because again, two of the best players in the league, if you get open, they’re going to find you,” Colton said.
What makes Rantanen an elite player is his ability to produce even when he’s having an off night and that includes making plays for his linemates.
“I understand that you’re not going to be at your best for 82 games and have the same intensity or the same legs that you have one night as you do the next but you still got to find a way and he’s been able to do that. That’s why his numbers are where they are every year,” Bednar said about Rantanen before the season started. “We’re going to try and drive some more consistency out of all our guys, including our top guys this year.”
Rantanen is currently No. 9 for points in the league with 13 through eight games, the same as his linemate MacKinnon. The Finn has nine assists and his counterpart has 10 — which shows they may not always be the one putting the puck in the net, but they are part of it getting there.