Nashville Predators: Fantasy Hockey Outlook

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Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35). Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The “Rinne Wall” Ready for Action

  1. Pekka Rinne ()

Yahoo – 23                      ESPN – 20,  2nd in Goaltenders                     NHL.com -24

Rinne is usually listed as one of the top five goaltenders in the NHL but is even more important in Fantasy Hockey.   He helps you in so many goaltender categories. Shutouts can get you big points from a goaltender and the big Finn has averaged just under six shutouts a year in his time with the Predators.

Save Percentage and Goals Against Percentage are always important categories and Rinne is near the top every year. Folks were worried last year that his stats might suffer with Coach Laviolette’s up-tempo style but he had one of his very best years stat-wise. The Predators figure to fight for a Central Division title this year and they will be piling up lots of wins.  That counts on your goalie stats too.

Probably the biggest way that Pekka will impact your team though is that he plays a TON of games.  You have to have a minimum of Goaltender starts in most leagues and the more you have the better each week.  He has had four seasons with 58 starts or more and three of those were at least 64 starts.

Put Pekka Rinne down early on your draft list, as long as he is healthy he is a beast among goaltenders to have on your team.

Next: A Beast on the Blueline