Antti Raanta’s decision to pursue his career in Europe rather than accept a professional tryout with an NHL team, like the Vancouver Canucks or Toronto Maple Leafs, signals the end of his time in North America.
At 35, after enduring a challenging 2023-24 season with the Carolina Hurricanes and the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, Raanta admitted that the spark for the NHL has diminished for him.
Despite the Canucks showing interest in Raanta, likely as a short-term solution due to the injuries of their top goaltenders Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs, Raanta stuck to his plan to return to Europe. He indicated that the idea of fighting for a spot in the NHL or playing in the AHL no longer appealed to him, opting instead for a more meaningful experience for his family in Europe.
For the Canucks, this means they must continue searching for backup goaltender options while dealing with injuries in their goalie lineup.
