Fantasy Take: Leafs Acquire Backup in Rittich
Ian Gooding
2021-04-12
The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired goalie David Rittich from the Calgary Flames for a 2022 third-round draft pick.
The Leafs never seem to have enough goalies. But during a pandemic, a team with aspirations of winning can never have enough NHL-level goalies. Assuming Rittich starts one game for the Leafs, he will be the fourth goalie that they have used this season. Don't forget that they also had Aaron Dell, who was lost when he had to go through waivers.
The goalie known as “Big Save Dave” in Calgary was the 1A starter last season for the Flames and had played at least 45 games in each of his previous two seasons. However, the addition of Jacob Markstrom cut into his value significantly as a volume starter. With Jack Campbell on an absolute tear (11-0-0, 1.88 GAA, .934 SV%), Rittich should be the #2 for the Leafs. Michael Hutchinson (4-2-1, 2.42 GAA, .919 SV%) hasn't played terribly, so he may not be completely out of the picture, especially if Rittich struggles.
The goalie who might be out of the picture with this deal, however, is Frederik Andersen. He's been placed on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury, so this deal likely signals the end of his regular season… and perhaps even his time in Toronto. Kyle Dubas will have a decision to make this offseason, and it's very possible that he will let Andersen walk as a UFA and let Campbell (one year remaining after this one) start. Before we digress too far away from Rittich, he is also a UFA after this season. So like the Foligno trade, this one could purely be a rental as well.
Interestingly enough, the Leafs play at home against the Flames on Tuesday, which will be the second of back-to-backs for them. It's possible that Rittich's first Toronto start could be against his former team, although COVID quarantine rules could come into play here.
Meanwhile in Calgary, veteran backup Louis Domingue will move from the taxi squad to the bench as Jacob Markstrom's backup, while Artyom Zagidulin has been recalled from the AHL to join the taxi squad. The chances that the Flames make the playoffs are low at this point, so expect a heavy dose of Markstrom until they are officially eliminated. They play only two more back-to-backs, which could be the only times they start anyone other than Marky.
Players this helps, in order:
Campbell (rest purposes)
Rittich
Domingue
Players this hurts, in order:
Andersen
Hutchinson
Fantasy owners are already discussing this trade on the Forum – give your take here!