Former Rangers goalie heads overseas to play in Europe and gets his first start in the SHL
Antti Raanta decided to end his NHL career during the summer and headed to Switzerland to play in the National League.
Raanta would shoot down multiple offers for the 2024-2025 regular NHL season and would be secure in his choice to play in Europe as his career winds down.
Raanta would sign in Geneva with the Genève-Servette HC, and play a backup role as Gauthier Descloux has been out with an injury.
The deal sees Raanta sign for a year in the Swiss National League and will be with Geneve-Servette HC for the remainder of the year.
The 35-year-old Finnish netminder will backup starting goalie Robert Mayer in the meantime, who in 2023 was the NL's goalie of the year.
Mayer has a .923 SV% in the Servette HC's first two outings, so it is likely Raanta won't be playing all the time, or be utilized in a way that is detrimental to the squad.
Raanta of course was at the tail end of his career, in the NHL and wasn't able to find a role that he felt suited him.
This is sad, as the former Rangers goalie was a fan favorite during his short time here had been struggling with injuries, and even served a short stint in the AHL last season, with the Chicago Wolves.
Raanta only played 24 games with the Carolina Hurricanes, backing up Pyotr Kochetkov, with a record of 12-7-2, with a 2.99 GAA, and a .872 SV%.
It is to be expected that Raanta would turn down a PTO from the desperate Vancouver Canucks, as it seems he's seen the best days of his career with 2022-2023 being the last year as what many could consider a serviceable goalie in the NHL.
Raanta would secure a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, before his short stint in New York.
It's just unfortunate he never won a cup here in New York.
He has seen it all in the NHL, but would his career be considered legendary or Hall of Fame worthy? Unlikely.
Raanta will be remembered, as a solid backup goalie in the NHL, who faltered at the end of his career due to mounting injuries.
Source: Pro Hockey Rumors
Antti Raanta Signs In Switzerland
| POLL | ||
Do you miss Raanta with the Blueshirts? | ||
| Yes | 26 | 48.1 % |
| No | 28 | 51.9 % |
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