Former Rangers goalie Antti Raanta is leaving the NHL but isn’t retiring yet. In an interview with Finnish media, the 35-year-old confirmed he won’t play in the NHL this season, though he still plans to continue his career in Europe. While Raanta has not finalized any specific plans, he expressed interest in playing in Europe, with Switzerland being a potential destination. However, he’s unlikely to play in Finland due to tax issues.
Raanta, who played 11 seasons in the NHL, including two with the Rangers as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup, said the time felt right to return to Europe with his family. Reflecting on his career, Raanta shared that as the summer progressed and his body felt good, the appeal of Europe grew stronger.
In addition to his time with the Rangers, Raanta played for the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes, winning the William Jennings Trophy in 2021-22 with Carolina. He dealt with injuries during his time with the Hurricanes and struggled last season, leading him to be passed over on the depth chart. Despite interest from several NHL teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, Raanta declined offers, signaling that his time in the NHL had come to a close.
Over his career, Raanta recorded a 2.48 GAA, a .915 save percentage, and 20 shutouts in 277 NHL games.
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