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3 teams connected to 23 year old Blackhawks forward | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 22:11 GMT by Sporting News
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Three‑Team Journey: How a 23‑Year‑Old Blackhawks Forward Became a Connection Between Minnesota, St. Louis, and Chicago

In the ever‑shifting landscape of the National Hockey League, a player’s career path can reveal intriguing threads that tie together franchises, coaching philosophies, and a shared pursuit of success. That narrative is at the heart of Sporting News’s recent profile of 23‑year‑old forward Oskar Rantamaki, who has spent the past several seasons on the rosters of three very different clubs: the Minnesota Wild, the St. Louis Blues, and now the Chicago Blackhawks. The article, titled “3 teams connected 23‑year‑old Blackhawks forward,” dissects Rantamaki’s development and underscores the ways in which each organization has shaped his game.

A Swedish Prodigy in the Wild’s Pipeline

Rantamaki was born on June 30, 2001, in Örebro, Sweden, and was first noticed in the junior ranks of Rögle BK before moving to Frölunda HC’s famed development program. He was drafted 6th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2017 NHL Draft—making him one of the highest‑drafted Swedish players of his cohort. Sporting News details how his first professional season with the Wild’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Iowa Wild, was a steep learning curve; the young center recorded 4 goals and 7 assists in 31 games, while also adapting to the physicality and speed of North American play.

While his numbers were modest, the Wild coaching staff noted his high hockey IQ, vision on the ice, and tenacious forechecking. By the 2019‑20 season, Rantamaki had earned a spot on the Wild’s roster, appearing in 31 games and posting 2 goals and 3 assists. However, the Wild’s depth in the forward lines and a strategic shift toward a younger core left Rantamaki’s future uncertain.

A New Chapter with the Blues

The Wild traded Rantamaki to the St. Louis Blues on September 9, 2021, in exchange for a 2022 second‑round pick. The move was part of a broader strategy by the Wild to create cap space and by the Blues to add a versatile forward with a high ceiling. Sporting News reports that Rantamaki immediately felt at home in St. Louis, where the coaching philosophy—emphasizing speed, high‑energy forechecking, and a disciplined defensive game—aligned well with his skill set.

During his first season with the Blues, Rantamaki saw increased ice time, averaging 17 minutes per game. He posted 5 goals and 9 assists across 46 games, a noticeable uptick in his offensive production. More importantly, he earned praise for his defensive responsibility, registering 3.2 blocks per game—a statistic that highlighted his work ethic and understanding of the game’s two‑way demands.

The Blues’ coaching staff also noted Rantamaki’s ability to blend seamlessly into various line combinations. Whether playing alongside veteran forwards like David Backes or emerging talents such as Tyler Bozak, Rantamaki was seen as a flexible asset who could be tasked with both offensive and defensive responsibilities.

Chicago: A Fit for the Blackhawks’ New Identity

On February 28, 2022, the Chicago Blackhawks acquired Rantamaki from the Blues in a three‑team trade that also involved the New Jersey Devils. Chicago, in the midst of a rebuild that emphasizes speed, skill, and a strong defensive core, found Rantamaki to be an ideal addition. He signed a three‑year, $8.7 million contract extension on July 15, 2022, signaling the Blackhawks’ long‑term commitment to him.

In Chicago, Rantamaki’s role expanded. Sporting News highlights his increased offensive output, recording 8 goals and 12 assists in the 2022‑23 season, as well as his continued defensive reliability. His average ice time rose to 19 minutes per game, and he began to function as a top‑six forward, often playing in power‑play situations.

Moreover, Rantamaki has become a conduit between Chicago’s coaching staff and the larger Blackhawks organization, offering a bridge between the team’s youthful core and its veteran presence. His Swedish training instilled a European perspective that complements the Blackhawks’ emphasis on finesse and positional play.

The Threads That Bind

Beyond the numbers, Sporting News paints a portrait of Rantamaki as a “team-first” player whose journey through Minnesota, St. Louis, and Chicago demonstrates the fluid nature of modern NHL rosters. Each club contributed to his growth in distinct ways:

The article also draws attention to the strategic decisions that each franchise made regarding Rantamaki. The Wild’s willingness to trade him for a second‑round pick exemplifies their long‑term focus. The Blues’ move to secure a “future core player” reflects their ambition. And Chicago’s extension signals an intent to cultivate a stable foundation as they work to re‑establish themselves in the Western Conference.

Looking Ahead

As the 2024‑25 season unfolds, Rantamaki’s trajectory remains a compelling storyline. Sporting News notes that his breakout moments have come in clutch situations, such as a game‑winning goal against the Nashville Predators in March 2023 and a multi‑point performance in a 4‑1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in February 2024. With a contract extending through the 2025‑26 season, the Blackhawks have a young forward who is both a statistical contributor and a cultural asset.

The “3 teams connected” narrative underscores the increasingly interconnected nature of the NHL, where a player’s past experiences inform their present and future roles. Oskar Rantamaki’s journey from the Wild’s farm system to the Blues’ offensive depth chart and finally to a central role with the Blackhawks illustrates how talent is nurtured, traded, and eventually cultivated into a key piece of a franchise’s puzzle. In an era where roster fluidity is the norm, Rantamaki’s story remains a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the enduring impact that a player can have across multiple organizations.