Preds lock up Rinne

[princedpw]

Of the 3 big FAs, they needed to be signed (Weber, Suter, Rinne) I personally think Rinne was the most important. Like some have mentioned, its somewhat of a risk but really, I don't think its crazy at all.

I can't say I agree.  I think a team with Weber + a cheap league-average or even below-average goalie like Reimer for 1-2million is a lot more reliable than some random #5 Dman at 1-2 million + Rinne.

 

[Kin]

The thing I wonder here is given the realities of 7 million a year both to Nashville and in a league-wide context, how good does Rinne have to be every year to be worth his money?

I look at that question and I can't help but think he basically has to be consistently good at a level that nobody in the league, including him, has been post-lockout.

 

[Bates]

I have watched Rinne quite a bit in last few years and he is the real deal.  Last night in Phoenix was a great example, he faces 30 something shots and at least 10 good scoring chances and gets a shut-out.  If you think he would not have been offered at least that much on market you are out to lunch.  After Weber and Suter this defense is really nothing to write home about and yet for over half of every game Rinne is their best player on ice.  By the way Weber and Suter sure are fun to watch, they make the game look so easy and seem to play in slow motion.  Lat night one of the Coyotes tried to hit Weber from the side into the boards(Korpikoski I think).  He didn't move him an inch and just seemed to bounce off of Weber and Korpi is a decent hitter.

 

[Kin]

If you think he would not have been offered at least that much on market you are out to lunch.

Considering what we just saw of the open market I'm not sure that's what I'd be tying my string to.

 

[Bates]

We just saw a lesser goalie in Bryz get that much money on the open market and I don't recall anyone of this caliber getting less recently.

 

[maplesyrup]

Of the 3 big FAs, they needed to be signed (Weber, Suter, Rinne) I personally think Rinne was the most important. Like some have mentioned, its somewhat of a risk but really, I don't think its crazy at all.

I can't say I agree.  I think a team with Weber + a cheap league-average or even below-average goalie like Reimer for 1-2million is a lot more reliable than some random #5 Dman at 1-2 million + Rinne.

Like some said earlier, locking up elite keepers for big money (and Rinne truly is elite) is something not completely unheard of... The Rangers, Penguins, Hurricanes, and I'll include the Flames are examples of teams I'm sure without a titch of buyer's remorse. Personally, I think the success of your team starts in goal.

Edit: Oops.. Forgot to add the Sabers to the mix.

 

[Kin]

We just saw a lesser goalie in Bryz get that much money on the open market and I don't recall anyone of this caliber getting less recently.

I think you missed my point.

 

[Bates]

I guess I did miss your point then.

 

[Peter D.]

But that's another question that needs asking. I'd admit to not watching a whole ton of Nashville games but I think we'd all agree that their defense is widely regarded to be one of the best in the league. So how much is Rinne and how much is that Nashville defense?

I only ask because Dan Ellis and Chris Mason had some pretty impressive numbers behind them too.

I'd say both factor in.  Just as some would point to Phoenix's system making Bryzgalov look better than he was/is.

We may soon find out though how good he is and if he's worth the money if Suter and/or Weber leave the team.

Very little has been made of Lindback in this whole scenario (donkeyy0 did allude to him earlier).  He's been considered a legitimate #1 goalie and he showed a bit of his potential when Rinne went down last year.  That's at least four solid, young goalies I can think of who are back ups on their respective teams who could just as easily be starters for a portion of the teams in the league -- Lindback, Rask, Schneider and Enroth.

 

[Corn Flake]

But that's another question that needs asking. I'd admit to not watching a whole ton of Nashville games but I think we'd all agree that their defense is widely regarded to be one of the best in the league. So how much is Rinne and how much is that Nashville defense?

I only ask because Dan Ellis and Chris Mason had some pretty impressive numbers behind them too.

I'd say both factor in.  Just as some would point to Phoenix's system making Bryzgalov look better than he was/is.

We may soon find out though how good he is and if he's worth the money if Suter and/or Weber leave the team.

Very little has been made of Lindback in this whole scenario (donkeyy0 did allude to him earlier).  He's been considered a legitimate #1 goalie and he showed a bit of his potential when Rinne went down last year.  That's at least four solid, young goalies I can think of who are back ups on their respective teams who could just as easily be starters for a portion of the teams in the league -- Lindback, Rask, Schneider and Enroth.

To your last paragraph... and that's why committing like this to a goalie... any goalie.... seems unnecessary right now.  There are a lot of young goalies in this league who could probably step in and take over a team.  Nashville has one in waiting already... why do this now and for that term? Was this all to keep Suter and Weber happy in the hopes they sign?

 

[Peter D.]

Was this all to keep Suter and Weber happy in the hopes they sign?

I'd say this is definitely a main reason.  I'd throw the Predators' fans into the equation as well.

 

[Kin]

I'd say both factor in.  Just as some would point to Phoenix's system making Bryzgalov look better than he was/is.

We may soon find out though how good he is and if he's worth the money if Suter and/or Weber leave the team.

Yeah, there's some overlap there but the difference is that if Bryz is only effective in a specific system then, worst comes to worst, his teams can always try to play that system. If Rinne only plays well with a terrific defense it's harder for a team to get their defensemen to be Shea Weber.

 

[bustaheims]

The thing I wonder here is given the realities of 7 million a year both to Nashville and in a league-wide context, how good does Rinne have to be every year to be worth his money?

I look at that question and I can't help but think he basically has to be consistently good at a level that nobody in the league, including him, has been post-lockout.

Yeah. Considering he's likely to own the highest cap hit for any goalie next season (and possibly for a few years going forward), he'll pretty much have to be Vezina calibre every season, and that's asking a lot from a guy who's only been at that level once.

 

[Bates]

Busta cap hit is really now just a joke to use for salary unless you are a team that is really pushing upper or lower limit.  With the new long term front loaded deal players don't always have a cap hit to match their cost. 

I sometimes wonder if people actually watch hockey or just read on the internet?  And that includes actual writers.  Rinne is one of the few goalies who is also one of his teams mvp's every game he plays.  Will he be as good without Weber and Suter, maybe not.  He actually may be as good but the team will not be.  Doug MacLean just lost the question on hockey central, who would you rather have right now and for future, Bryz or Rinne, regardless of cap savings for Bryz.  Now remember that Bryz has a wonky contract and actually gets paid $10 million this season.  I don't think many would pick Bryz.  How many present nhl foalies would you pick before Rinne?

 

[maplesyrup]

51 mil? for Bryz or 49 for Rinne... Yeah, I think I like Rinne at 1.3 mil. more against the cap than Bryz. Is Rinne overpayed? Maybe... but by how much per year? 500k, 750k? I don't think its anything worth noting. Also, I don't think the deal makes it difficult cap-wise to re-sign Weber and Suter.

 

[maplesyrup]

Also, I really don'y buy "he's only had one good season" argument. Doughty's  09/10 was really his only good season and look how he made out. Sometimes a player is special enough that you just know... You know?

Edit: I know Doughty is younger but I think even the casual fan knows forwards generally come in to their own before defencmen do who come in to their own before goaltenders do.

 

[cw]

I haven't seen Rinne much so it's hard for me to assess. Based upon his career, it does seem like an eyebrow raiser of a deal. But I've been very impressed with Weber. If this helps them retain Weber, it might be worth it.

Although the league seems to be better at identifying good goalie prospects when drafting than they used to be, as I've said before, I find it a more unpredictable position in the NHL since the lockout. The deal may work out but I doubt I would have done it.

 

[Kin]

Although the league seems to be better at identifying good goalie prospects when drafting than they used to be, as I've said before, I find it a more unpredictable position in the NHL since the lockout.

I think that's probably the underlying issue for anyone who is inclined to look at this deal crooked. While I'm sure that the people here who actually watch hockey knew better, those of us who only read about Steve Mason's huge season didn't tend to read the addendum of "...but it's easy to see this won't keep up". There've been a lot of goalies who had big seasons and then followed them up with disappointing years or a disappointing string of years.

Anyone want to trade for Jaroslav Halak's contract right now? Or invest heavily in Craig Anderson?

 

[Bates]

The difference is that Rinne is into his 4th full season and his numbers have been fairly consistant in those seasons.

 

[Kin]

The difference is that Rinne is into his 4th full season and his numbers have been fairly consistant in those seasons.

We clearly have a different definition of "fairly consistent" then. The year before last he ranked 21st in SV% and 13th in GAA before shooting up to 2nd and 3rd in those categories last year.