From the Archive: Banking on a Young Goalie Prospect

As the NHL trade deadline looms closer, Predators GM Barry Trotz is likely listening to offers for the Predators starting goaltender Juuse Saros. While it's been an up and down season for the 28-year-old Predators net minder, Saros has a reputation as a game stealing goalie and the career stats to support that. 

Pulling the trigger on a Saros trade means Trotz will be looking for young Yaroslav Askarov to step into an NHL role moving forward. It's always risky moving an experienced goaltender and passing the mantle to a young prospect, but the Predators have done that once before. 

In June 2007, David Poile traded goaltender Tomáš Vokoun to the Florida Panthers. Vokoun was a Nashville selection in the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft and became the starting goalie in the 2002-2003 season. Four seasons later, the Predators traded the Czech goaltender for high draft picks and counted on the future of a young developing goaltender in Milwaukee named Pekka Rinne. History could potentially repeat itself if GM Barry Trotz decides to deal Saros at the deadline and bank on young Yaroslav Askarov.

In the December 4, 2007 edition of The Hockey News (Vol. 61, Issue 11) Kevin Oklobzija looked at the decision to trade Vokoun with an eye on Rinne. 

PEKKA RINNE

Milwaukee

Ht. 6-4

Wt. 196

Pos. G

Age 25

AND COUNTING .920

Rinne had a sturdy save percentage through 11 games

THE SHOULDER HAS HEALED and Pekka Rinne is out to prove he’s back on the fast track to the NHL.

An out-of-nowhere prospect as an AHL rookie in 2005-06, Rinne’s sophomore season was half-wasted because of an off-ice, summer shoulder injury that required surgery.

This season, he’s not only out to prove he’s still a top-notch prospect, but also that the Nashville Predators weren’t wrong when they traded former No. 1 man Tomas Vokoun to Florida.

“I think that kind of shows me they trust me and it gives me confidence,” Rinne said of the deal. “Tomas had a great career in Nashville and it’s always tough to see someone leave. But it could help me. Hopefully, some day I’ll be up there.”

Rinne’s goal is to not only match his rookie season, but better it – personally and team-wise. In 2005-06, he went 30-18-2 with a 2.82 goals-against average and .904 save percentage in 51 games and backstopped the Milwaukee Admirals to the Calder Cup final.

Last season he was off the ice until January, recovering from surgery, then returned to go 15-7-6 in 29 games (2.34 GAA, .924 save percentage).

“It’s tough to be out four months,” said Rinne, a 25-year-old native of Kempele, Finland. “At the beginning of this year I kind of noticed I needed a few more games. I’m ready to play a lot of the games.”

By playing in 11 of Milwaukee’s first 13 games, Rinne is certainly getting ample work.

“When I first came over, honestly I didn’t know what to expect,” said Rinne, an eighth round draft choice (258th overall) by Nashville in 2004. “But I always dreamed about playing in the NHL and that’s my goal.”

While in Finland, Rinne figured life in hockey couldn’t have been better. He played for a powerhouse, Karpat, in the Finnish League and the team essentially skated in his backyard. In being a part of two Finnish League championships, Rinne was a hometown hero.

Rinne, who was the backup, struck a strong friendship with starter Niklas Backstrom, now No. 1 for the Minnesota Wild.

“It was a great time to play there and Niklas is an awesome friend,” Rinne said.

The stopper credits mentoring from former Preds goaltending prospect Brian Finley with making the initial transition to North America easy.

“Everything was new to me and I was kind of growing up and in a lot of ways he took care of me,” Rinne said. “Right away, I knew coming here was the right choice.”

The Predators agree. ■