The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Finnish goaltender Antti Raanta to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. After two good years with the Carolina Hurricanes, Raanta will have another chance to show what he can do between the pipes.
A New Contract for Antti Raanta
Goalie Antti Raanta signed a new contract with the Hurricanes. Raanta is an experienced goaltender with a decade in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes and Hurricanes. This past season he finished with a 2.23 GAA and .910 SV% in 27 games played. Both were best for the Hurricanes’ goalies. He split time with Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov and was arguably the most consistent. His four shutouts were good enough for a tie with various goalies for third in the league and with Kochetkov with the most for Carolina. He also had 1.3 goals saved above expected and was ready to make the saves when needed.
When Andersen started the playoffs sick, Raanta played pretty well to carry the Hurricanes within one game of winning the First Round until Andersen stepped in. Raanta went three and three with a .909 SV% and 2.48 GAA. His goals saved above expected was again 1.3. Raanta showed this past year that even at age 34 he can still be a reliable goaltender.
Looking Forward
Antti Raanta not only brings veteran experience but is an extremely focused and hard worker. He’s can make saves look easy but also bring in acrobatics at times for highlight reel saves. Even though Carolina’s defence may have helped him some statistically, Raanta showed that he can make the saves when needed. He also showed that he could step in carry a consistent workload if needed. For Carolina, he was not really a true backup but more of a 1B. This is a big positive Raanta brings and why the Hurricanes decided to keep him around. While he may have had some injury issues occasionally, having depth in net is very beneficial.
Main Photo: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
