3 Teams Who Could Trade For Hurricanes' Antti Raanta

Now that the Carolina Hurricanes have locked up their rookie goaltender to a four-year contract extension, Antti Raanta becomes a likely trade candidate to move this season. In the last year of his deal, there are a few other teams that could use his services more than the Hurricanes that we're going to look at.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have already had goaltending trouble as both of their top two goaltenders have been out with injuries within the first 20 games of the season. Matt Murray was the first one to get injured and is back starting in goal now. But he is maybe the most injury-prone goalie in the league and could very well miss a large number of games at any point.

As for Ilya Samsonov, he was having a great start to his Maple Leafs' tenure before suffering an injury that will keep him out week-to-week. Erik Kallgren, the team's third string goaltender, has played nine games already, more than either of the other two. His numbers aren't great and he is a fringe NHL goaltender at best at this time.

The Maple Leafs actually have a good amount of cap space currently with their top three defencemen out for a while. The issue is they also need help for their forward depth. Their biggest concern may be if both of their starters get injured at the same time again and they have to address goaltending. Raanta isn't an expensive option for them and has been effective in his career.

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild have not gotten the best goaltending this season which brings up the question if it was a smart decision to move on from Cam Talbot in the offseason. In return the team got Filip Gustavsson to back up Marc-Andre Fleury, but Fleury is currently injured.

Fleury shouldn't be out too long even though the timetable for his return isn't set. But the Wild could use a more experienced goaltender behind Fleury to take some pressure off of him and provide more stable goaltending for the season. Unfortunately Gustavsson would have to pass through waivers.

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames are another good team who have gotten little help from their goaltenders this season. Jacob Markstrom has a .889 SV% on the season while backup Dan Vladar is even worse with a .881 SV%.

The Flames don't trust Vladar this season and it is a year where the team can't afford to miss the playoffs or have an early postseason exit. They have an option in net in Dustin Wolf in the AHL, but may look to upgrade their backup via trade. Raanta would be able to provide Markstrom with some relief as he tries to get on track this season and would allow the team to give their starter some rest every once and a while without worrying about losing.

On an expiring cheap contract, Raanta is a solid option and will likely be on a new team by the trade deadline this season if both of the other Hurricanes goaltenders are healthy.