[Signing] Pens re-sign DeSmith (3 yrs, $1.25 mill AAV)

[TheScorpion]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1083800725665259520

cross a potential summer candidate off the list

[Bingo]

may play into the Rittich contract too

[Toonage]

$1.25M is what I thought Rittich would get on his next deal.

Now? That price keeps going up.

[Canada 02]

I'm surprised to see how similar some stats are between Rittich and DeSmith

[sempuki]

Was hoping to see him resign instead.

[Geeoff]

Well I would definitely do this for Rittich.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Toonage

$1.25M is what I thought Rittich would get on his next deal.

Now? That price keeps going up.

Why do you think so? DeSmith and Rittich are remarkably close comparables. I don't see how this deal raises the price on Rittich's at this point, although I do think he could get a little more simply by virtue of waiting out the year to sign in the summer.

[Toonage]

^ Not saying this deal make Rittich's contract potentially go up, but his play does.

Rittich taking over the starter role, moving towards the playoffs, big potential to play well there etc.

DeSmith is their backup, and won't get the starts Rittich gets (barring injury to Murray).

If Rittich takes the Flames to a playoff series win or two (in a year where it was expected Smith would have that role) he's going to get more than just $1.25M

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Toonage

^ Not saying this deal make Rittich's contract potentially go up, but his play does.

Rittich taking over the starter role, moving towards the playoffs, big potential to play well there etc.

DeSmith is their backup, and won't get the starts Rittich gets (barring injury to Murray).

Rittich has started one more game than DeSmith. ONE. With how Murray has performed this year I don't believe you can be as emphatic about who is the "starter" and who is the "backup" in Pittsburgh any more than you can in Calgary. And if the trend continues, I don't believe we can be certain about who will start games for Pittsburgh in the playoffs.

Like I said—the two players are remarkably similar. DeSmith's level of play has increased his value in precisely the same manner as has Rittich's.

[Toonage]

Won't get the same number of starts moving forward.

I believe Rittich will most likely get more starts than DeSmith going forward. This year and next and beyond.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Won't get the same number of starts moving forward.

I believe Rittich will most likely get more starts than DeSmith going forward. This year and next and beyond.

No matter where starts go from here DeSmith's contract will be brought up by Treliving in the negotiation.

Unproven guy that "looks" ready to be a starter market is pretty thin.

[Toonage]

I hope you're both right!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Won't get the same number of starts moving forward.

How do you know this?

I believe Rittich will most likely get more starts than DeSmith going forward. This year and next and beyond.

I think that is likely, but I also think DeSmith's deal sets some fairly impenetrable delimiting factors on what Rittich can negotiate.

I agree that Rittich's contract will likely be worth more than DeSmith's, but I don't see how Flames fan should be anything but thrilled at this deal. Some have been projecting Rittich hitting a cap number of $5–6 m this summer, and I think this contract demonstrates that such concerns are preposterous.

[Strange Brew]

This is an excellent signing by Rutherford IMO. Not a hell of a lot more than league minimum for next 3 years.

Treliving will be very hard pressed to get Rittich at this AAV over 3 years but no doubt it is going to help him.

[Vinny01]

So does Jarry get moved?

Murray?

[Lord Carnage]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

How do you know this?

Originally Posted by Vinny01

So does Jarry get moved?

Murray?

Murray looks to have taken back the starter's role.

Since coming back from injury on Dec 15th, Murray is 8-0 with two shutouts. He gave up 3 goals only once, and has been rock solid.

As a backup, DeSmith just won't get as many looks as Rittich (barring injuries changing things up)

I would think Jarry is a possible trade chip at this point.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

So does Jarry get moved?

Murray?

Neither. Tristan Jarry is still really young and judging from his AHL numbers still needs to do some growing. The combination of Murray and DeSmith accounts for a $5.0 m cap hit next year. That is completely manageable.