Antti Raanta Out Indefinitely, Could Be Out For Season

The Arizona Coyotes’ goaltending situation just got worse. Already listed as week-to-week, starting goaltender Antti Raanta has been listed as out indefinitely. In fact, general manager John Chayka said that the injury could keep the goaltender out for the entire season after doctors noted that the severity of his injury was worse than originally thought during Raanta’s surgical procedure, according to The Athletic’s Craig Morgan.

“The recovery will be a little longer than we had hoped or expected,” Chayka said. “As we get further down the rehab process we’ll know more, but for now he’s out indefinitely & there’s a good chance he misses the entire season.”

Raanta was having a good, but not great season for the Coyotes so far as he was 5-6 with a 2.88 GAA and a .906 save percentage in 12 appearances. The team, however, will now have to put more of its faith in backup goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who is currently injured, and Adin Hill, especially if the team hopes to work its way into a possible playoff spot.

Hill has been impressive so far in his recall from Tucson of the AHL and could find himself having a breakout year with this opportunity. Hill has put up impressive numbers since being recalled on Nov. 25 as he has a 4-2 record with a 1.62 GAA and a .939 save percentage. Kuemper has been out since Nov. 21 with what is referred to as a minor injury, yet he has now missed more than two weeks and there isn’t a concrete date on a potential return. Kuemper is 4-5-2 in 11 appearances with a 2.71 GAA, but more importantly a .914 save percentage.

 “He’s in good health, it’s just a matter of getting his timing back,” Chayka said. “He should be back in the short term. Obviously with Antti out, he’s an important piece for us moving forward.”