A veteran goaltender is returning to the NHL after a brief spell in the minors.
On Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced they are recalling Antti Raanta from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.
Raanta was originally placed on waivers by the Hurricanes on Dec. 16 after what was a fairly rough start to his 2023-24 campaign. The Finnish netminder was 6-5-1 with a 3.61 goals-against average and .854 save percentage, going winless in his last four starts.
After clearing waivers, Raanta was assigned to (ironically) the Hurricanes’ former AHL affiliate in Chicago. He ended up playing just twice for the Wolves, who are last in the Central Division, going 1-0-1, giving up six goals on 48 shots. In his final appearance last Friday against the Milwaukee Admirals, Raanta made 24 saves in an overtime loss.
It was the first time the former Chicago Blackhawk played in the AHL since the 2019-20 season, when he was with the Tucson Roadrunners.
Raanta has not played in the NHL since giving up six goals in an overtime loss to the Nashville Predators on Dec. 15.
The Canes have had goaltending woes across the board this season. Frederik Andersen has not played since early November due to a blood clotting issue. However, he was cleared to skate earlier this month, though there is no timetable for his return to the lineup.
With Raanta and Andersen out of the lineup, the eccentric Pyotr Kochetkov has taken over the reigns, going 7-7-3 in 18 games, with a 2.69 GAA and .894 SV%.
The Hurricanes (17-13-4) limped into the holiday break, losing four of their last five games, with Kochetkov playing in the last four.
Carolina comes out of the pause fifth in the Metropolitan Division with 38 points, two back of the Philadelphia Flyers for third in the division, and one back of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals for a Wild Card spot.
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