Hurricanes recall veteran goaltender after brief AHL stint

The Hurricanes have recalled veteran Antti Raanta from his short stint in the minors, per PuckPedia. In a corresponding transaction, rookie netminder Yaniv Perets was returned to ECHL Norfolk.

Raanta, 34, cleared waivers last weekend. His .854 SV% was the worst of any goalie with at least five games played this season, and his -9.4 goals saved above expected is eclipsed only by Senators netminder Anton Forsberg (-9.9) and Oilers starter Stuart Skinner (-12.0), per MoneyPuck.

The veteran of 267 NHL games and 11 seasons accepted an assignment to AHL Chicago, which had been the Hurricanes’ primary affiliate since 2020 but severed ties over the summer, now operating independently from any NHL club. 

He made two starts while in the minors, allowing three goals in each and posting a subpar .875 SV%. The Wolves earned three out of a possible four points with Raanta in the crease, going 1-0-1.

It’s uncertain whether this is a permanent call-up for Raanta or if this is for roster management reasons. Recalls are permitted during the NHL’s holiday roster freeze, and Perets is eligible to be sent down as long as he was informed of the transaction by the end of the day Saturday.

If the Hurricanes plan on returning Raanta to Chicago soon, they can do so without hassle. Since he passed through waivers unclaimed, he can remain on the Hurricanes’ roster for up to 30 days (or play ten games, whichever milestone is hit sooner) until he needs waivers to head to the minors again.

Perets did not appear for the Hurricanes since his recall last weekend, backing up Pyotr Kochetkov in four contests. The 23-year-old is in his first professional season after winning an NCAA Division I national championship with Quinnipiac last season. 

He has a .916 SV%, one shutout, and a 5-5-1 record in 11 games with Norfolk this season.