[A] Blackhawks Sign MVP Goaltender Antti Raanta

[PatrickShart]

According to Juha Hiitela of Urheilusanomat, the Chicago Blackhawks have signed Finnish goaltender Antti Raanta to a one year entry-level deal.

Raanta, 24, led the SM-liiga in save percentage (0.943 SV%, third highest in league history), goals-against average (1.85 GAA), and ranked fifth in shutouts (5 SO), while compiling a 21-10-11 record with Assat Pori in the 2013 regular season. His fantastic play throughout the season earned him honors as best goaltender in the league and regular-season MVP.

In the 2013 playoffs, he elevated his play even higher, posting a 0.955 save percentage, 1.33 GAA, and helped his team capture the Canada Bowl (the Finnish equivalent of the Stanley Cup) while winning the Jari Kurri Trophy (equivalent to the Conn Smythe) for his dominating postseason performance.

Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reported that the Minnesota Wild were in hot pursuit of Raanta, the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets also had interest in the goaltenders services.

"[Raanta] was physically in horrible shape when he got to Ässät, but has worked on that a lot, which also helped with the mental part of his game." says Juzmo on Hockey's Future. "Calm, good with the stick, and just a really solid goalie all around with no clear weaknesses at this level. Can be a bit of a showman."

Another scouting report on Hockey's Future states: "While not as flashy as some of the smaller goalies nor highly skilled, Raanta uses his size to advantage and is very consistent with his positioning. Foot speed might also be an issue but the competitiveness is definitely there."

As of now, <strong class='bbc'>Corey Crawford[/b], <strong class='bbc'>Antti Raanta[/b], <strong class='bbc'>Mac Carruth[/b], and <strong class='bbc'>Kent Simpson[/b] are the only goaltenders under contract heading into the 2014-2015 NHL season. Raanta is expected to receive an opportunity to backup Crawford next season.

With <strong class='bbc'>Ray Emery[/b], <strong class='bbc'>Henrik Karlsson[/b], <strong class='bbc'>Carter Hutton[/b], and <strong class='bbc'>Alec Richards[/b] all set to become UFA's in the off-season, it's no surprise to see the Blackhawks add a little bit of depth to help shore up the goaltending position.



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[PatrickShart]

While not having a 2nd or 3rd round pick this year...</p>


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Signing Leblanc and now Raanta would seem to be 2 good prospects to fill those slots</p>

 

[MassHavoc]

And maybe they anticipate being outbid for another cup winning goalie in the near future.</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

It's what a good GM does...instead of handing out/overpaying for too many players - then having to purge later</p>

 

[esbrechtel]

Does anyone know anything about this guy? 1 year entry level deal is interesting. Is he good enough to back up Crawford next year?

 

[roshinaya]

He was good on the national team and the past season in the FEL. Not one of those big goalies, but moves well and could turn out to be a good signing.</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

Raanta, 24, brilliantly led Assat Pori to a championship in the Finnish Elite League this past season. Raanta was brilliant for Finland at the recently concluded World Championships on Helsinki and Stockholm where he posted an impressive 2.09 GAA and .928 save % in 7 tournament games.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=17016</p>


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Hawks will have him under team control for 4 seasons (thru 2016-2017) </p>

 

[MassHavoc]

Is this a straight to the NHL deal though? Or will he stay there or Rockford another year? Is he ready for the show?</p>

 

[bookjones]

Excellent, EXCELLENT signing!  Absolutely ZERO risk and therefore at worst can only wind up being a zero-sum move but at best is high, HIGH reward. Yet again, well done Stan & Co.</p>


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Also, I kinda dig seeing the butt hurt of fans from other teams who thought their teams were front-runners in the Raanta sweepstakes. So suck it fans of other teams! LOL</p>


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Hawks keep bustin' out Free Agent surprises---me likey! Recognizing you have to work outside the  conventional development box and can't just rely on only the Drafts (and especially where the Hawks have to pick being non-bottom dwellers for several years now) and trades in these post-2005 NHL cap days They're working hard behind the scenes and succeeding in getting players to sign so I can't ask for more than that.</p>

 

[esbrechtel]

I hope he's NHL ready. Looking at the teams chasing him glad to see the Hawks get him. This looks to be a good signing Especially because the Hawks really no goalie prospects.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Need a Finnish goalie to win the Cup... duh.</p>

 

[The Count Dante]

Finnish Goalie... good enough for me.</p>

 

[bookjones]

This move is "clearly" planning ahead strategy so that Teravainen has a Finnish buddy on the team when he finally makes it to the NHL. D'uh! </p>

 

[GrimlockAutobot]

Really interested to see what this kid brings to the table.


Anyone know where his ceiling is at I. E. Who he compares to.

 

[MassHavoc]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="GrimlockAutobot" data-cid="198665" data-time="1370371159">
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Really interested to see what this kid brings to the table.


Anyone know where his ceiling is at I. E. Who he compares to.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


Ditka...</p>

 

[the canadian dream]

I remember watching this kid play in some international tourneys. He was really good. Will be fun to see where it all goes.</p>

 

[Ton]

I don't think they brought him here to play in the AHL. Much like Niemi, except this time around there is no Huet/Khabibulin combination to block his path to the NHL. He should get a good shot at making the big club off the bat. I don't think he would have signed if they planned on sending him to Rockford, considering the Wild, Oilers, and Jets probably could have guaranteed playing time.</p>


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Sounds like he has a competitive spirit and good fundamentals, which is no surprise coming out of Finland. Doesn't sound like he's that as big, or flashy, as other Finnish netminders. We'll see if his compete level can overcome the size deficit.</p>

 

[Mach29]

This means Emory is Finnished!</p>

 

[roshinaya]

So is Emery.</p>

 

[JOVE23]

What about R. Lee Ermey?</p>