The Carolina Hurricanes have shored up their goaltending platoon by signing unrestricted free agent Antti Raanta to a two-year deal worth $4 million. His contract carries an annual average value of $2 million. The Hurricanes have invested $13 million in their goalies after signing Frederick Andersen to a contract ($9 million) earlier in the day.
Raanta comes back to the East Coast after spending the last four seasons with the Arizona Coyotes. The native of Rauma, Finland, played in 104 games as a starter and backup, earning a 46-42-11 record in the process. He had a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.57 and a save percentage of .921.
Have Pads, Will Travel
Raanta’s recent signing with the Hurricanes will be his fourth NHL team in eight seasons. He broke into the league with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he suited up for 39 games with a record of 20-9-5. His GAA was 2.41 with a .912 save percentage.
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In July 2015, Raanta found himself on the move for the first time when the Blackhawks sent him to the New York Rangers in exchange for Ryan Haggerty. While a member of the Rangers, Raanta served as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup, seeing action in 55 games over two seasons. His record on Broadway was 27-14-4 with a 2.25 GAA and .921 save percentage.
The Rangers made a deal with the Coyotes in June 2017, sending Raanta and Derek Stepan west in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2017 Entry Draft and Tony DeAngelo. Raanta used this opportunity to showcase his skills and prove he was a reliable choice between the pipes.
In 2017-18, he played in a career-high 47 games with a 21-17-6 record, a 2.24 GAA and a .930 save percentage. The Coyotes then brought in Darcy Kuemper as their starter, relegating Raanta to backup duties again.
A Chance to Shine in a New Market
The Hurricanes deployed three goalies during the 2020-21 season. Alex Nedeljkovic played in 23 games, James Reimer played in 22 games, and Petr Mrazek played in 12 games. The playoff assignments went to Nedeljkovic and Mrazek as Carolina fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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As soon as the season ended, the Hurricanes traded Nedeljkovic to the Detroit Red Wings, with Mrazek and Reimer leaving in free agency. These vacancies allowed the team to restructure their netminders. Their first move was signing Andersen to a two-year deal and then signing his partner Raanta.
Many experts wondered if Andersen got overworked in his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He shouldn’t have that issue with Raanta backing him up. As a reliable 1B option, Raanta should split the duties, which will allow both to be fresh for a deep playoff run.
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Ryan Gagne is back for his second tour of duty with The Hockey Writers. In 2021 he wrote about the New York Islanders and now will embrace the challenge of covering the Calgary Flames. The best part of this new assignment is Ryan currently lives in Edmonton and will get to see both sides of the Battle of Alberta up close and personal. None of this will make much sense since he was born and raised in New England and the Boston Bruins are his still team.
