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Arizona Coyotes: 5 player predictions for next season

By Nick McAdam

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: Goalie Antti Raanta #32 of the Arizona Coyotes is congratulated by teammate Derek Stepan #21 after a 6-0 shutout victory against the St Louis Blues at Gila River Arena on March 31, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: Goalie Antti Raanta #32 of the Arizona Coyotes is congratulated by teammate Derek Stepan #21 after a 6-0 shutout victory against the St Louis Blues at Gila River Arena on March 31, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 07: Antti Raanta #32 of the Arizona Coyotes gets ready to make a save against the Anaheim Ducks at Gila River Arena on April 7, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 07: Antti Raanta #32 of the Arizona Coyotes gets ready to make a save against the Anaheim Ducks at Gila River Arena on April 7, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Antti Raanta

  • Regresses a bit in save percentage
  • Posts another winning record

Raanta is turning into the perfect time gap goalie to allow the Coyotes to develop another long-term prospect after the Mike Smith era.

A 21-17-6 record with a .930 save percentage was absolutely marvelous considering Arizona’s final position in the standings. The goalie game is hard to replicate, which is why very few can even be considered to be world class in the NHL.

The same surely goes for Rannta. It will be a similar test as he will back just about the same defensive core as he did in his debut season.

The save percentage might go down a tad, but his GAA needs to step up if the Coyotes even want to sniff the postseason next year. A 2.24 ratio per game reflected a decent stat-line at best. If GAA wasn’t accumulated, it would have been a great season.

Overall, a lot of it has to do with trust from both Raanta and the Coyotes. The Finn needs to know that there’s not much behind him on the depth chart. If he goes down, a lot of other areas will follow.

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