The Colorado Avalanche are already one of the most dangerous offensive units in the NHL and now they’re adding another talented forward to the organization. Sampo Ranta has signed his three-year entry-level contract and will immediately report to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL.
Ranta, 20, is coming off an exceptional junior season with the University of Minnesota where he scored 19 goals and 31 points in 31 games. The 2018 third-round pick (78th overall) has developed into an absolute freight train of a player who routinely barrels down the wing with excellent speed and can drive the puck to the net or beat goaltenders clean from distance with his impressive shot.
While there is still a lot of polish needed to his overall game, there’s no doubting Ranta’s ability to put the puck in the net. He may be best used in a bottom-six role in the future, but he’s a legitimate NHL prospect joining an organization filled with talent. After convincing Alex Newhook to turn pro just a few days ago, the pipeline has received quite the boost in young talent recently.