The Arizona Coyotes have locked up Antti Raanta, signing him to a three-year contract extension. The goaltender’s new contract will carry an average annual value of $4.25MM, and keep him in the desert through the 2020-21 season. Raanta was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
After acquiring Raanta and Derek Stepan from the New York Rangers in the offseason, the Coyotes expected them to help the club bounce back and challenge for a playoff spot this season. Unfortunately, due to some injuries and inconsistency through the first half of the season, Arizona quickly fell out of the race. They didn’t secure their first regulation win until the 21st game of the season, essentially ending any chance they had before it started.
Over the second half of the season though, Raanta has shown exactly what he can be when healthy. In his last 15 games, the 28-year old goaltender has gone 12-2 with a .956 save percentage and three shutouts. That has vaulted him right up into the leaders around the league, trailing only Marc-Andre Fleury in save percentage from goaltenders who have started at least 30 games. Those numbers should actually get Raanta some well deserved votes in the Vezina Trophy race, though he is an extreme long-shot to win the award.
If Raanta can stay healthy throughout the contract, this is an extremely team-friendly deal for the Coyotes. The team also acquired Darcy Kuemper this season to serve as a backup, and that tandem should give well above-average goaltending for a relatively inexpensive price. Combined, they will earn just $6.1MM in each of the next two seasons, a number lower than five individual goaltenders in the league.
If he stay’s healthy, it’s a good deal
Being a Flames fan…I’m actually sad that he isn’t available now lol. Now that’s Quenneville and Raanta down. Back to the drawing board lol