When Corey Crawford went down with an apparent lower-body injury against the Florida Panthers on December 8th, the entire city of Chicago gasped with uncertainty. It was unclear who would be between the pipes for the reigning Stanley Cup Champions going forward.
The man who started the season in the number two slot on the roster behind Crawford was 40-year-old Russian netminder Nikolai Khabibulin. After having a lack-luster start to the season with a 5.00 goals-against average with only four games played, he suffered a torn rotator cuff that will sideline the veteran for 4-5 months.
General Manager Stan Bowman knew he needed to dig into his AHL affiliate to fill the void left by the “Bulin Wall” injury. On November 17th, 24-year-old Antti Raanta was recalled from the Rockford Icehogs.
In his first season adjusting to North American ice, Raanta posted a record of 7-5 in the American Hockey League. Those numbers would most likely not have earned him a trip to the NHL had Khabibulin stayed healthy.
Nonetheless, the Finnish goaltender was thrown into the fire early, just two days after his promotion, when Crawford was pulled after allowing three goals on seven shots against the Colorado Avalanche. Raanta’s debut didn’t reveal too much about his skill, but his love of the game.
Fast forward a month later, the rookie would find himself starting for a Blackhawks team that boasted the highest-scoring offense in the National Hockey League. Critics around the league proclaimed that Crawford’s injury would be a devastating blow to the team, but Raanta wasn’t listening.
Raanata played brilliantly for the Blackhawks, better than anyone expected. It was evident that he had the focus and composure necessary, which are heavily attributed to his early success.
As time progressed, so did Raanta’s game. He isn’t the biggest tender in the world (at 6’0), but he certainly looks like one to a shooter. The Finn does an impressive job of covering his high glove side, an Achilles heel that affects fellow goaltender Corey Crawford significantly. The ability he possesses to restrict his rebounds is impeccable for any goalie, and he is able to make that second save while maintaining great position.
Opposing offenses were continually frustrated by a goalie that had only been in the United States for less than a year, as the rookie was playing like a seasoned veteran. Recently, along with Los Angeles Kings goalie Martin Jones, Raanta was named co-rookie of the month for December.
He has achieved monumental success in the Finnish leagues, and he is doing it all over again in the NHL.
With Crawford on the injured reserve, the Blackhawks went 8-1-2. Some might point to the shut-down defense for those results, but there were times where Raanta needed to be stellar, and he was fit for the task each and every night.
Now as the goaltending situation begins to clear up with “Crow” healed, the Blackhawks have not one, but two goalies that can take the reins for the team. If they want to defend their title as champions of the hockey universe, the Hawks will need to find that key balance with both their goaltenders splitting time.
Although Raanta is once again in a backup role, he is ready to be called upon at Coach Joel Quenneville’s disposal. With a record of 12-1-3 this season, there is no logical reason why he should continue to sit on the bench for an extended period of time. His future will only get brighter as he receives more and more starts down the road.
Watch out Nathan Mackinnon; Antti Raanta is making a run for the Calder Trophy.
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