The Vancouver Canucks have been searching for goalie solutions following the injury woes of their top netminders, Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs. However, one potential target, former Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta, has decided to continue his career in Europe, effectively ending his time in the NHL.
Despite interest from the Canucks and even the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raanta, 35, turned down offers to remain in North America, opting instead to explore opportunities overseas. Speaking in a recent interview with Sami Hoffren of Ilta-Sanomat, Raanta explained his decision to pursue a European career, marking the conclusion of an 11-year NHL journey.
“At the end of the season and during the summer, I considered all kinds of things,” Raanta said. “But as the summer went on and I felt good physically, Europe started to appeal more.” The veteran goaltender admitted that the time was right for him and his family to return to Europe, adding, “There is no longer such a fire to fight for a spot in the NHL.”
Raanta’s 2023-24 season was a struggle. He appeared in 24 games with the Hurricanes, posting a 12-7-2 record with a 2.99 GAA and an .872 save percentage. His performance in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves mirrored these difficulties, where he managed a 2-2-4 record with a 3.54 GAA and an .873 save percentage. Raanta’s struggles led to his placement on waivers, where he passed unclaimed.
In his conversation with Hoffren, Raanta reflected on his NHL career and acknowledged that it was time to move on. “Europe could be a more meaningful place for my family and myself,” he said. “I spent 11 years in the NHL. Now was a good time to return to Europe with my family.”
For the Canucks, who reportedly pursued Raanta on a professional tryout (PTO) basis, the veteran’s decision comes as a setback. Vancouver has been scrambling for goalie reinforcements due to Demko’s injury and Silovs being less than 100% fit. Raanta confirmed that he had spoken with Canucks goaltending coach Marko Torenius and the team’s general manager via Zoom but ultimately declined the offer.
“There was talk of a second- or third-goalie role and possibly playing in the AHL,” Raanta revealed. “I rejected it immediately and informed them of my decision to move on. A few hours later, I was on a Zoom call with the Canucks, but it felt more like a trial than a real opportunity.”
With Raanta now focused on his European career, the Canucks will have to look elsewhere to address their goaltending crisis.
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