Antti Raanta will return to back up Henrik Lundqvist next season. The New York Rangers announced today that Raanta has agreed to terms on a new contract.
It’s reportedly a two-year deal with a cap hit of $1 million.
Raanta -- who joined the Rangers in the wake of Cam Talbot’s departure -- went 11-6-2 with a .919 save percentage during the regular season. He could’ve become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
After making 18 starts in 2015-16, there’s reason to wonder if Raanta’s workload will increase next season. Lundqvist turned 34 in March and struggled down the stretch and in the playoffs. Assuming Raanta can keep providing quality netminding, it may be in the Rangers’ best interests to give their franchise goalie a bit more rest during the 82-game schedule.