Goalie Antti Raanta was activated by the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday from injured reserve.
Raanta returned to the rink Thursday morning prior to the Hurricanes’ practice after missing time due to a lower-body injury since February 8.
The Finnish goalie, who spent a week with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL before being placed on waivers back on December 16, has had an unusual season. Prior to the season, the 34-year-old inked a $1.5 million agreement to stay in Raleigh. In 24 games, he has a 12-7-2 record, a shutout, and a.872 save percentage.
Raanta finished 19-3-3 with four shutouts in 27 games last year, one of his greatest seasons to date. Raanta’s career record is 139-80-29, with 20 shutouts and a.915 save percentage.
With Raanta back, the Hurricanes will have three goaltenders on the active roster (Frederik Andersen is currently on IR). The other goalies on the team are Pyotr Kochetkov and Spener Martin, who was just acquired by the Hurricanes via waivers.
Although Frederik Andersen hasn’t been given the all-clear to play again, coach Rod Brind’Amour stated the Danish goalkeeper’s comeback is “just around the corner,” according to Hurricanes team reporter Walt Ruff.
When their crease situation fills up, the Hurricanes will have to act sooner rather than later. Although none of their four goalies are available for waivers, Martin, a journeyman who is 28 years old, appears to be the most probable player to be moved. The Hurricanes now have $5.61 million in salary space, according to CapFriendly, with 10 pending UFAs and Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and Seth Jarvis scheduled to become RFAs.
With 71 points, the Hurricanes are second in the Metropolitan Division and have won 8 of their last 10 games. The Hurricanes play their home game against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night before travelling to play the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.
