Pekka Rinne
No one really knows for sure what Pekka Rinne’s plans are as he’s now an unrestricted free agent. I’m sure the team would be thrilled to bring him back on a one-year deal to be Juuse Saros’ back-up, but the real question is if Rinne still wants to play.
It’s very possible, and I wouldn’t blame him one bit, that Rinne is ready to call it a career. The elusive Stanley Cup is the only thing he hasn’t accomplished in his outstanding career.
If I’m Poile I’m doing what I can to make sure Rinne knows how much the team would love to have him back for another year as it wasn’t the goaltending that was the main problem for the Predators.
Fixing other big weaknesses that the team will make the goaltending look much better in 2021-22, and I love the thought of having Saros and Rinne back as a one-two combination.
There’s a good chance that if Rinne does want to come back for another season with the Predators that he’d be willing to do it for a team-friendly deal. This will be a main topic to keep an eye on all offseason.