Looking at the Seven Former Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals
By Conor Power
Antti Raanta
Former Ranger number seven on this list might be the most likable. This isn’t to say the others on here are unlikeable players, but Antti Raanta is just a different kind of person. He’s the kind of guy to be driving over the Hell Gate Bridge, see a car broken down, and help them all without being recognized. He’s just a nice person. He’s also quite a helpful goaltender, but that’s the second thing you talk about with Raanta.
Despite only being a Ranger for two years, Raanta showed himself to be incredibly down-to-earth. When he arrived in the Big Apple, he knew he was not going to take the starters job away from Henrik Lundqvist so to come in, swallow his pride, and know that he is going to play second fiddle was a big statement and he was never without a smile on his face. He was everything you wanted from a player.
Raanta had some of the best years of his career in Manhatten, recording a .921 save percentage over two seasons with the New York Rangers. His 2.25 goals-against average was also incredibly strong and it made him desirable as a backup netminder that could be given a starting job. When he was dealt to Arizona, the Coyotes wanted to make him a starting goalie and he was good enough to do that in the desert.
Even in Raleigh, there have been times when he has been asked to guide the team. He was the netminder the Rangers saw last year because Frederik Andersen suffered a torn MCL a few weeks before the end of the season. He’s never had the chance to guide a team himself, but he will have a shot at winning the Stanley Cup with this Carolina Hurricanes roster.