In an unexpected move Sunday night the Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired goaltender David Rittich. In exchange for the goalie, the Leafs will be sending a 2022 third-round pick to the Calgary Flames.
TRADE: We’ve acquired goaltender David Rittich from Calgary in exchange for a 2022 third-round selection. #LeafsForever
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— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 12, 2021
Maple Leafs Acquire David Rittich
The Maple Leafs have just acquired another starting-calibre goalie to use down the stretch. Through 15 appearances the 28-year-old has gone 4-7-1. In addition, he has also posted a 2.90 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. Rittich is on an expiring deal that holds a cap hit of $1.375 million.
Undrafted, Rittich signed his current deal with Calgary in the summer of 2019 to bring some stability between the pipes. Last season he showed flashes of that, but couldn’t muster more than a .907 save percentage and a 2.97 goals-against average.
What This Means For the Future
Rittich had previously been Calgary’s starting netminder but, as in the past, lost control of that title early in the season. This move seems to mark the slow tear-down process of the current roster in Calgary. The team had been slipping from its short-lived dominance through the better part of a year. They are currently 5th in a tough North Division playoff race and sits 6 points out from the Montreal Canadiens and their fourth spot in the division. The 2022 draft pick they receive is a much-needed piece going into what seems like a lengthy rebuilding process.
The Maple Leafs have three goalies on their active roster at the moment. Jack Campbell, currently on a franchise-record win streak, Michael Hutchinson, and now Rittich. This puts a huge backstop on the goaltending depth charts considering that pending free agent Frederik Andersen is sitting on the team’s injured reserve list for the foreseeable future. How general manager Kyle Dubas and head coach Sheldon Keefe intend to use their goalies prior to the trade deadline at 3 P.M. on April 12, as well as the remainder of the season, is unknown at this time.
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