NHL Rumors: Hurricanes Goaltender Becoming Key Trade Candidate

The Carolina Hurricanes just committed to their young goaltender for four more years after a strong start to the 2022-23 season. With Frederik Andersen out with an injury, he has stepped up and taken playing time away from Antti Raanta while playing better than the veteran. The Hurricanes have him under the contract at just $2 million AAV through 2026-27.

With that signing, he is expected to be the backup in the NHL for the Hurricanes which means one of Andersen or Raanta are likely gone after this season. My educated guess is it will be Raanta. His numbers are even weaker than Pyotr Kochetkov's this season and he isn't a number one goaltender. Andersen, on the other hand, needs to be re-signed by the Hurricanes so they can continue to have a number one elite goaltender while their Stanley Cup window is open.

This makes Raanta a prime trade candidate this season as Kochetkov has proven he can serve as a reliable option in net. Raanta isn't too expensive for a team looking to add help in net, but it may take some time for the Hurricanes to wait out a team in dire need of a goaltender.

Right now there's not too many serious injuries in net around the league. Many teams have capable tandems. But extended stretches of poor play or just a need to upgrade in net over a younger player can cause a trade to occur. Watch for Raanta's name to be in trade rumours moving forward.