New York Rangers' Antti Raanta Provides Alain Vigneault with Confidence

If there is one thing the New York Rangers franchise has always succeeded in, it’s identifying goaltending talent.

Cam Talbot backed up Henrik Lundqvist in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 season. Talbot led the Rangers to the Presidents Trophy in the 2014-15 campaign while Lundqvist was out with an injury.

Still, Talbot was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, for three draft picks during the 2015 NHL draft. The next step was finding the next suitable backup for Lundqvist. The Rangers faced a choice: look to their farm system, or look to acquire a backup from a different team?

After a 2014-15 season of being sent back and forth from the Chicago Blackhawks to their AHL team the Rockford IceHogs, along with being part of a Stanley Cup-winning team, but not having his name on the Cup, Antti Raanta joined the Rangers.

Nov 21, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Rangers goalie Antti Raanta (32) makes a save as defenseman Dan Girardi (5) and defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) defend against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In his 2015-16 season with the Rangers, Raanta started 18 games, and played in 25 (11-6-2), with a GAA of 2.24 and a save percentage of .919.

Raanta brings confidence to the table. An incredible feature Raanta brings to the table is his ability to have the confidence of a starter despite playing as a backup. Raanta who sometimes could go two or three weeks with no game action, yet is always prepared anyway.

Coming into this season, the Rangers helped themselves out majorly by signing Raanta to a two-year, $2 million deal. Alain Vigneault is armed with the freedom to choose how he wants to utilize his netminders.

Regarding Lundqvist, there is no secret he is not getting any younger. The 34-year-old will be 35 by the end of this season. As he ages his playing time must decrease, which is where Raanta comes into play.

Again, with the confidence Raanta shows in between the pipes. There is no question about it, the confidence he shows rubs off on the team in front of him. When Raanta starts a game, the team looks confidence in front of him.

However, despite his last game, where he stopped 18 of 20, in a 2-0 losing effort to the Ottawa Senators, Raanta has played in eight games this season and started seven games. The one game he didn’t start, he came in relieving Lundqvist after a weak period and half of play by the Rangers against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Raanta was pulled from just one game this season, due to concussion protocol. Even so, he currently has a GAA of 2.20 and a save percentage of .931. A great start to the season yet again.

The Rangers have back to back games against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, and the Blackhawks on Friday. Raanta will be in net when the Rangers play in Winnipeg. Alain Vigneault has that luxury.