Rantanen is expected to contend for a roster spot with the Avalanche in training camp, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Unlike many of the other players in the 2015 draft class, Rantanen isn't eligible to play junior hockey by virtue of turning pro in 2012 in his native Finland. As a result, Rantanen can either open the upcoming season with the Avalanche, at their AHL affiliate in San Antonio, or in Finland with TPS Turku. The latter two destinations seem to be likelier bets, but it's not unprecedented for the Avalanche to deploy their first-round draftees at the NHL level right away; Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly (2009), Gabriel Landeskog (2011), and Nathan MacKinnon (2013) all made the jump after being selected. Each of those players entered their season with plenty of acclaim and have enjoyed successful careers, but Rantanen may be even better positioned for NHL duty due to his greater size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) and prior experience skating against older players during his time in the Finnish Elite League. If he's able to shine in training camp, Rantanen could find himself as a third-line winger for the Avs on Opening Night.