Antti Raanta was assigned to Chicago of the American Hockey League by the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday after clearing waivers.
The 34-year-old is 6-5-1 with a 3.61 goals-against average and .854 save percentage in 14 games (12 starts) this season. He allowed six goals on 30 shots in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators on Friday.
"Obviously, he's been part of our group for a while and you don't like to see that," coach Rod Brind'Amour said Sunday. "But obviously his game wasn't quite there. It's such an important position. When the goalie is not quite there, it's glaring. It is what it is, I guess."
Raanta, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Hurricanes on July 1, has played in 69 games (64 starts) over the past three seasons with them, going 40-13-8 with a 2.59 GAA, .901 save percentage and seven shutouts.
"Obviously, a well-liked guy. He gets along with everyone and he's very positive. A great teammate," forward Sebastian Aho said. "It's tough to see that stuff happen. At the same time, it's a business we're all in. It's not at all on him why we've been struggling. That's never how it works. It's never one guy. Obviously, with goalies, it's a tough job."
Carolina has been without No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen, who is out indefinitely because of blood clots, since Nov. 2.
Pyotr Kochetkov is 6-6-1 with a 2.77 GAA and .890 save percentage in 14 games (12 starts). However, he has a 2.46 GAA and .912 save percentage in his past five starts (3-2-0).
Yaniv Perets was recalled from Norfolk of the ECHL. The 23-year-old goalie, who is 5-5-1 with a 2.38 GAA and .916 save percentage this season, helped Quinnipiac University win its first NCAA championship last season before signing with the Hurricanes as an undrafted free agent April 11.
"It's hockey. You've got to stop the puck," Perets said. "It doesn't really matter where you go, where you're at. You've got a job to do. That's all that really matters."
Raanta is 133-78-28 with a 2.49 GAA, .915 save percentage and 20 shutouts in 267 games (243 starts) with the Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes, New York Rangers and Hurricanes.
NHL.com independent correspondent Kurt Dusterberg contributed to this report
