The Rangers lost backup goaltender Antti Raanta in the trade that sent him and Derek Stepan to Arizona. Not having a reliable backup like Raanta could have consequences for the Rangers going forward this season.
In recent years, the Rangers have found strong backup goaltenders to fill in for Henrik Lundqvist when necessary. Cam Talbot’s performance during Lundqvist’s injury in the 2014-2015 season proved his potential and now he is the number one goaltender in Edmonton. Then, Antti Raanta filled the backup position and became a reliable option when Lundqvist needed a rest.
Now, Raanta is in Arizona after the Rangers traded him along with Derek Stepan. The Coyotes needed a replacement for Mike Smith and Raanta could fill that role. The Rangers now needed a replacement for their backup goaltender, and Ondrej Pavelec answered the call.
After the Rangers, specifically Lundqvist’s, slow start this season the impact of losing Raanta is apparent.
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A Look at the Numbers
Pavelec signed as a free agent this summer and although he has six more years in the league compared to Raanta, his save percentage and goals against averages are not as good.
In his first year with the Rangers, Raanta started 18 games. He earned a record of 11-6 in those games, with a .919 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.25. The following season was even better. Raanta started 26 games and had a record of 16-8. During this time, he had a .922 SV% and a 2.26 GAA.
Pavelec played his entire career with the team that drafted him the Winnipeg Jets, formerly known as the Atlanta Thrashers. Throughout his career, his save percentage is consistently between .880 and .910. His best season was 2014-2015 where he recorded a SV% of .920.
In recent seasons, the Jets reduced Pavelec’s role to make way for younger goaltenders like Connor Hellebuyck. He went from starting 31 games in 2015-2016, to starting just eight in 2016-2017. In those eight starts last season, Pavelec had an even 4-4 record with a .888 SV% and a 3.55 GAA.
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This Season So Far
Pavelec hasn’t had a start for the Rangers since October 28th. His statistics have stayed the same since last season, with a current record of 1-3, a SV% of .887 and a GAA of 3.64.
Despite the Rangers bouncing back from their slow start and Lundqvist playing well, this downgrade in the backup goaltending position will have consequences. Lundqvist is 35 years old now and cannot start over 60 games like he used to. When he needs rest, it is imperative that the Rangers have a reliable backup that can hold their own.
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Antti Raanta was that reliable backup that the Rangers needed. He could start almost 30 games and have a winning record. Ondrej Pavelec has yet to prove that he can also be a reliable backup. He is coming from a team where he went from a number one goaltender to a third string goaltender with only eight starts in a season.
Unless Pavelec starts playing well, the Rangers will continue to feel the impact of losing Antti Raanta. As the season goes on, Lundqvist will need games off to rest, and the Rangers need to be confident in the goaltender they put in his place.