CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 09: at the United Center on February 9, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Report: Antti Raanta wanted the Blackhawks to lose in the playoffs

It has been a few months since the Blackhawks won the Cup, but it doesn’t mean some players aren’t still thinking about their playoff run. Antti Raanta, part-time back up goaltender to the Blackhawks last year, was quoted as saying, “With fingers crossed I hoped Nashville would beat us (CHI) in four so I could get back to Finland sooner. I was so pissed.” This information comes courtesy of Vesa Rantanen of USanomat. Vesa Rantanen also states that the Raanta statement was, “softly said, odd – even from a Finnish goalie.”

As far as statements come from NHLers this is one of the oddest in recent memory. The league is often painted with a large swath as very humble and this goes completely against the grain. Raanta had wanted to play for the AHL club and get more playing time rather than stay up with the big club.

As an outside observer you have to love the honest nature of Raanta, who will be playing within the Rangers organization this season, but this has to be a cringeworthy moment for past and future teammates. For players it is a damned if you do and a damned if you don’t type situation – if you talk to the media honestly you will hear outrage and if you are a boring interview you will hear outrage. You can’t ever do right in the eyes of the media which will only continue the dance between players and media.

Raanta spoke from his heart but will this change the opinion of the player moving forward?

UPDATE: Raanta is now denying that he ever made these comments.

About Sam Blazer

Sam is a self proclaimed chess prodigy. He once placed seventh in the state of Ohio in Chess when he was in kindergarten. He will rarely if ever mention though that only eight people were entered in this tournament. Contact him at sblaze17@gmail.com

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