Rittich Brings Experience, Camaraderie to Preds Goaltending Group

When Nashville Predators franchise icon Pekka Rinne announced his retirement, a clear message was sent to Preds fans everywhere - the Juuse Saros era had truly begun.
But General Manager David Poile and the Preds front office know better than most that a stout goaltending tandem is crucial for season-long success. To replace Rinne would have been impossible. But bolstering their puck-stopping unit was crucial.
So, enter David Rittich - a former NHL All-Star and starting goalie for the Calgary Flames, now tasked with supporting Saros in his quest for goalie stardom.

"[Pekka] is one of the best of all time," Rittich said of the Preds legend. "I'm not here to replace him. Honestly, it's not possible to do. I'm trying to be great with [Saros] and everybody here."
The undrafted native of the Czech Republic comes to Nashville after 118 starts for the Flames, where he racked up 63 wins over four and a half seasons before being traded to the Maple Leafs for a short stint last season. Faced with free agency, Rittich tabbed Nashville as the place that would fit his needs as a player both on and off the ice.
"The town is nice, but most overall for me was the hockey side," Rittich said. "They're playing a good system, with how good they are in the defensive zone, and you can see the last couple years how successful Nashville was, so I hope it's going to be the same with me."
A choppy pair of seasons the last two years gave the 29-year old little consistency in his role. Despite playing just 19 games last season between the Flames and Maple Leafs, Rittich still notched a save percentage above .900 and will be relied upon similarly this year with the Preds.
"On the ice, [Rittich has] had some good days," Preds Head Coach John Hynes said during Training Camp in October. "He's working on some things with [Goalie Coach Ben Vanderklok] that I think are more specific to what Ben would like and that would suit David's game well, so I like the progression that he's made. Very similar to any player that changes teams, sometimes there's a little difference in how the team goes about things - particularly goaltending and how the goaltending coach wants certain things done. I think he's done a good job there. He's worked hard."
Rittich's start with the Preds was delayed just a bit - he was placed on the NHL's COVID Protocol List just three days into the season - but the goaltender finally made his first start with his new team last Thursday in St. Louis and made 33 saves to help his team to victory.

As he acclimates to Nashville and his new teammates, Rittich's role continues to become more defined. Tasked with being a supportive locker room figure and steady backup to Saros, his role on his new squad will be ever important.
"He wasn't up to his standards the last year and a half since the pause,"
Sportsnet NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman said on the Preds Official Podcast
. "I think he is a good goalie - can be a very good goalie - but needs a bit of a refocus, and he will definitely get it with the Predators."
Rittich will not only get a refocus, but he will get the chance to mentor
one of the game's up-and-coming goalies
in Saros. While he will certainly be called upon to stop more than a few pucks throughout this season, one of his central responsibilities will be to help other Nashville veterans foster a healthy locker room camaraderie - something he has done every step of the way throughout his time in the League.
"The thing about Rittich is he can be really funny. There will be some days where you are in that room and he will say something and you will be like, 'What planet did that come from,'" Friedman said. "It just makes you laugh because it's nothing anyone would think of and you are looking at him like, 'Wow, that is weird but hilarious.' He's friendly and he's funny."
"Off the ice, he's a real personable guy," Hynes said. "He's lighthearted, kind of a joker, brings energy to the room, and that's one of the things we were looking for. Obviously, Juuse is the number one starter and David agreed to come in knowing that he was going to be in that type of a role, which was to support Juuse… That was the research that we did on him and so far, it's been as advertised."
So how exactly was Rittich advertised?
Well, in addition to being known as the cliche "good locker room guy," the Preds new goaltender has shown his supportive nature time and again - especially in interactions with his brother, Tomas.
Tomas has autism, along with other developmental issues, and his big brother has been there every step of the way. While playing in Calgary in 2019, Rittich brought his family to town so Tomas could not only spend time with him, but so he could greet his true favorite member of the Flames organization: their mascot, Harvey the Hound.

The video of the meet n' greet is touching - after Tomas' big embrace with Harvey, he similarly greets his brother with a hug as a thank you - and demonstrates everything Rittich strives to be off the ice.
"I'm trying to be a great person, because I feel like when you're good to other people, other people will be good to you," Rittich said. "I'm a funny guy, I'm trying to have fun in the locker room, during practice. I mean, you have fun and obviously you've got to work hard. So those two things have to be together, and that's how I am."
Being a dependable character in the locker room, understanding his role and supporting Saros will make Rittich's one-year contract well worth its price tag. And although he has moved on from Calgary and Harvey the Hound, there is a similarly popular and lovable mascot here at Bridgestone Arena for his brother to fall in love with.
"It's a little different [playing on the home side in Bridgestone Arena]," Rittich said. "I remember when we had a practice in Bridgestone, I stepped on the ice and I was like, 'Oh, I never came from this side,' so I've got to figure out where I'm going. Bridgestone is unbelievable. The crowd is always buzzing there, and it's great to play in front of those fans."