Antti Raanta rejects offer from Vancouver Canucks.

The Vancouver Canucks were hoping to get a little insurance between the pipes, but it appears that they will have to look elsewhere.

During a recent interview with Finnish media outlet Ilta Sanomat veteran goaltender Antti Raanta revealed that he would be leaving the National Hockey League despite receiving some offers over the course of the summer from teams within the league. Although there were offers on the table, Raanta admitted that they weren't the type of offers that motivated him to remain in North America.

Specifically Raanta revealed that he had received an offer from the Vancouver Canucks, a move that would make some sense given the question marks around the health of number one goaltender Thatcher Demko.

"I knocked it down right away and announced that I've kind of made up my mind that I won't be going there anymore," said Raanta as per Ilta-Sanomat(translated from Finnish.) "A few hours later and suddenly I was on a Zoom call with (goalkeeping coach) Marko Torenius and the general manager. It would have been more of a trial."

According to Raanta at this stage of his career he simply no longer has the burning desire to compete for a spot on a team, especially not with the prospect of spending most of his season in the American Hockey League.

"There is no such thing as a fire anymore, that I would go there tooth and nail to fight for a place," said Raanta in a surprising admission.

While the news was no doubt disappointing to hear from the perspective of the Canucks, they may very well have dodged a bullet if Raanta is indeed lacking in terms of motivation when it comes to playing in North America. Raanta it would seem is looking forward to being back closer to home.

"Now was a good time to return to Europe with my family," said the veteran goaltender.

I wish him all the best on his next adventure.