When we signed smith, he had lead us to the WCF and lead the NHL in shutouts the next year. That signing proved to be expensive and a mistake given Smith being inconsistent and injured. But Smith had proven he could carry the load at a high level, I get why they did it and there was likely a big market for smith at the time.
Raanta has not proven he can handle a starters load yet. More minutes could mean more injuries, tougher mentally to always be up, etc... it's just different. I think he can do it, but there is no need to pay him proven starter money (4.5+, 5 years+). Raanta should get very good low end starter money and term 3-4 years/3-4 mill. I think that is market. The recent Darling and Talbot signings will make GM's including Chayka cautious.