Oilers may have found their starting goalie as 11-year veteran is placed on waivers

PUBLICATION

Liam McCormick
December 16, 2023 (12:26)

SHARE THIS STORY

Moments ago, surprising news broke on the waiver wire across the NHL. According to several insiders, the Carolina Hurricanes have placed goaltender Antti Raanta on waivers.

Now 34 years old, Raanta has experience as a journeyman goaltender around the NHL, and has been able to be a starting goaltender at times in his career. As the Hurricanes are currently missing Frederik Andersen, they've looked to Raanta to take a step up and his his starting experience - but it hasn't turned out well for Carolina.

In 14 games this season, Raanta has a 6-5-1 record, along with a 3.61 Goals Against Average and a .854 save percentage. These stats are particularly awful, and the only saving grace is his relatively cheap one year contract for $1.5M.

It'll be interesting to see if another team around the NHL decides to take a chance on Raanta, banking on his 265 games of NHL experience and history as a serviceable goalie. For now however, the Hurricanes have seen enough of his poor play, and will be playing Pyotr Kochetkov as their starting goalie for now.

The Edmonton Oilers, known for their need for stability at the goaltending position, could be very interested in Raanta being available for free. With his low cap hit, they should be able to take on his contract, and add a 10 year veteran to their roster.