5 insurance policy goaltenders the Canadiens can add this offseason
Antti Raanta would know his role well at this stage of his career
Antti Raanta could be the least likely name on this list to sign on for a No. 3 goaltender’s role, given his age. But when Frederik Andersen returned to the lineup with the Carolina Hurricanes, Raanta has taken a recent demotion in stride before an ultimate recall and has seen eight games with the Chicago Wolves this season, posting a 3.54 GAA, an 0.873 save percentage, and a 2-2-4 record.
Throughout 2023-24, he posted similar statistics in Carolina, and he allowed nearly eight more goals than expected at even strength. All of the above were the worst numbers of Raanta’s career, which, until this season, weren’t bad at all.
Through 253 games and 231 starts at the highest level before 2023-24, Raanta posted 127 wins, a GAA of 2.43, a 0.918 save percentage, and a 0.610 quality starts percentage. Thanks to the drop-off, it’s highly likely that Raanta is finished in the NHL, or at least as a full-time 1B or backup.
If he’s fine with continuing his career as an insurance policy goaltender at a lower rate, then Kent Hughes should consider bringing him aboard. There is no way he would see the crease more than Sam Montembeault or Cayden Primeau, but he brings tons of experience.
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(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference and Elite Prospects)