David Rittich

Rittich got an extended look as Calgary's starting goaltender from 2018-19 to 2019-20, but the Flames weren't satisfied with the results and decided to ink Jacob Markstrom to a long-term deal in the summer of 2020, relegating Rittich to backup status once again. He played just 19 games a season ago, posting a dreadful 5-8-2 record in addition to a 2.86 GAA and a .901 save percentage. Rittich left Calgary as an unrestricted free agent this past summer, signing a one-year deal with Nashville to serve as the backup for Juuse Saros. Rittich will have minimal fantasy value as long as Saros, one of the top young goalies in the league, remains healthy.

Rittich was unable to emerge as the clear starter in Calgary in 2019-20, making 48 appearances while posting a 24-17-6 record, a 2.97 GAA and a .907 save percentage. He frequently lost playing time to Cam Talbot, most notably in the playoffs. With Talbot signing in Minnesota as a free agent, the Flames signed Jacob Markstrom to a six-year contract this offseason, which will greatly limit Rittich's ability to get consistent playing time. Markstrom does carry some injury risk , so Rittich may get one or two stretches of regular starting work, but he should be valued as a backup heading into 2020-21.

Rittich had his first taste of a starting role in 2018-19, snagging the job from Mike Smith in the fall before a knee injury hampered the last four months of his season. Rittich appeared in 45 games, going 27-9-5 with a 2.61 GAA and a .911 save percentage. He'll almost certainly have the starting job to begin the season, but free-agent signing Cam Talbot was brought in to ensure Rittich's competitive edge remains sharp. Even though he's probably best suited as a 1A, Rittich will be expected to carry more of the load this season. Fantasy owners can expect the 26-year-old to make 50-55 starts while hovering around the league average in ratios. A young Flames defense corps which boasts a couple of sturdy veterans should mitigate most of the damage on the scoresheet should Rittich take a step back this year.

Heading into the 2018-19 season, Rittich has a strong chance to win the backup job as the primary backup to Mike Smith in Calgary. While American prospect Jon Gillies figures to compete with Rittich for the No. 2 spot, the Czech-born netminder does have a slight leg up, possessing more NHL experience than his main competitor. A stocky goalie who takes up a lot of real estate in the cage at 6-foot-3, 202 pounds, Rittich appeared in 21 games with the Flames last season, recording a 2.92 GAA and .904 save percentage before an arbiter awarded him a one-year, $800,000 deal this offseason. Whether Rittich spends more of his time with the NHL or AHL team, he's unlikely to get enough starts to warrant much fantasy attention, especially if Mike Smith stays healthy.