Causeway Crowd
Fansided

Boston Bruins: 3 free agent goalies to consider signing for 2021-22

By Matt Hawkins

Mar 20, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta (32) makes a save during the second period against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta (32) makes a save during the second period against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Boston Bruins free agent option Antti Raanta
Mar 10, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) deflects the puck in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

3 free agent goalies the Bruins should consider signing for 2021-22.
2. Antti Raanta

After starting his career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Antti Raanta was acquired by the New York Rangers in June of 2015. The Rangers would then trade Raanta to the Arizona Coyotes two seasons later in June of 2017. Raanta has spent the last four seasons with the ‘Yotes.

Raanta only spent two seasons with the ‘Hawks as a backup to Corey Crawford. His first season was a struggle, but he excelled in his second with a 1.89 GAA, .936 SV%, .667 QS%, and two shutouts in 14 games (12 starts).

More from Causeway Crowd

In both seasons with the Rangers, Raanta was one of the best backup goaltenders in the NHL. Over 55 games (44 starts), Raanta posted a .921 SV%, 2.25 GAA, .680 QS%, and five shutouts.

With Arizona, things started off well as he recorded a .930 SV%, 2.24 GAA, .696 QS%, and three shutouts in 47 games (46 starts). However, things haven’t been so nice for Raanta over the previous three seasons. In this time, Raanta has only played in 57 games (55 starts) posting a .914 SV% (two seasons under .910), 2.96 GAA, .546 QS%, and two shutouts.

Raanta’s struggles to stay on the ice are due to injuries. His struggles on the ice could be attributed to the Coyotes’ shotty defense and overall team. His good QS% shows that, when he does start, he gives his team a chance to win.

With this in mind, I think Raanta would be an excellent choice to pair with either Swayman or Vladar until Rask returns from injury (if he’s re-signed). While he only has two seasons starting more than 30 games, these two seasons happen to be Raanta’s best statistical seasons.

Additionally, with Raanta basically being a career backup and having a down year this past season, he should be open to the idea of falling to the 1B option behind Rask when he returns. This is a huge thing when considering who the Black and Gold should bring in.

So while Raanta has been injured quite a bit over the last three seasons, he still has played quite well when healthy. If he can stay healthy, he would be a great backup/1B option to Rask, or if Rask isn’t re-signed, a platoon option with Vladar or Swayman. After all, he does have a 2.46 GAA, .919 SV%, .631 QS%, and 13 shutouts in 198 career games (179 starts) over eight seasons.

Home/Bruins News