Cam Talbot backed up Henrik Lundqvist in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 season. Talbot led the Rangers to the Presidents Trophy in the 2014-15 campaign while Lundqvist was out with an injury.
Still, Talbot was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, for three draft picks during the 2015 NHL draft. The next step was finding the next suitable backup for Lundqvist. The Rangers faced a choice: look to their farm system, or look to acquire a backup from a different team?
After a 2014-15 season of being sent back and forth from the Chicago Blackhawks to their AHL team the Rockford IceHogs, along with being part of a Stanley Cup-winning team, but not having his name on the Cup, Antti Raanta joined the Rangers.