Stanley Cup champion and veteran goaltender retires from NHL hockey

After playing in nearly 300 games across 11 seasons with teams like the Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Carolina Hurricanes, Raanta is stepping away from North America and considering a future in European leagues.

Raanta's career, largely spent as a reliable backup, took a downturn last season. The Finnish netminder put up an uncharacteristically low .872 save percentage with a 2.99 goals-against-average across 24 appearances for Carolina. With young goalie Pyotr Kochetkov starting to claim the backup position for the Hurricanes, Raanta's future in the NHL began to look uncertain. His 2023-24 season became his last, as it seems he won't return to the NHL crease.

The speculation that Raanta might sign a professional tryout contract (PTO) with an NHL team this offseason has been put to rest. In an interview with Ilta-Sanomat's Sami Hoffren, Raanta confirmed that his playing days in North America have come to an end.

Despite stepping away from the NHL, Raanta hasn't hung up his skates for good. Sources in Finland indicate that the 34-year-old goaltender is actively exploring opportunities in Europe. As of today, however, he is not under contract with any team.

It is not uncommon for former NHLers to find a second career in European leagues, and Raanta seems poised to follow that path. Given the more defensively structured nature of leagues like the Liiga, Raanta's style could thrive once more on the European stage. However, according to Finnish reporter Simo Frigole, Raanta is reportedly exploring offers from leagues outside of Finland, such as those in Germany, Czechia, and Switzerland.

Raanta's departure marks the end of a solid NHL career, but the next chapter in Europe could see him return to form. Wherever he ends up, fans will be watching closely to see how he fares in the twilight years of his career. Best of luck, Antti!