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The Los Angeles Kings have signed goaltender David Rittich to a one-year, $1 million contract. Rittich joined the Kings organization as a third-string goaltender in the 2023 offseason but earned a call-up to the NHL following Pheonix Copley’s season-ending injury. Rittich went 13-6-3 with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage (SV%).
Rittich was a hero for the Kings following Copley’s injury, taking over as the starting goaltender at times when Cam Talbot struggled. He finished the season with 13.8 goals saved above expected (GSAx), the eighth-best of all goaltenders this season, according to Money Puck . He also finished second in GSAx per 60 minutes (min. 15 games), trailing only Anthony Stolarz.
The extension to Rittich shows the Kings will likely let Talbot walk in free agency as they still search for a more permanent starting goaltender. Prospect Erik Portillo will also likely need to wait to see the NHL until the 2025-26 season as a result of Rittich’s extension. He has led the Ontario Reign to playoff success, sweeping the Abbotsford Canucks in Round 2 of the Calder Cup Playoffs while leading all playoff goaltenders with a .956 SV%.
One more year of Big Save Dave!
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 15, 2024
We've signed G David Rittich to a one-year contract.
RELEASEhttps://t.co/VZbmqy4I4g pic.twitter.com/sfGFUVfMmv
This is great value for the Kings who add a great backup goaltender for close to the league minimum. Although he played just 24 games, this was the best season of Rittich’s career, so there is only upside in this contract. If he struggles, Los Angeles can send him to the American Hockey League (AHL) where he will not count against the salary cap.
As the Kings still search for an additional goaltender to play alongside Rittich in the NHL next season, they will need to see how the playoffs unfold before determining who is available. With reports of Los Angeles inquiring about Linus Ullmark to Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper, it has become clear the team is searching for a premier starting goaltender. For now, fans can only wait to see which goaltenders become available this offseason.
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Canadiens face roster issue as NHL insider reveals worrying update
The Montreal Canadiens have not extended Lane Hutson's contract, and the latest update is not positive. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the negotiations have not advanced, and he suggests both parties need a break. "I think this negotiation has gotten very emotional, and I think everybody needs a timeout," Friedman said on his podcast. On Monday, Hutson, 21, said he wants to stay in Montreal but is leaving the negotiations to his agent. He also stated the team's front office has work to do. "I try to stay pretty hands off. Of course I want to be here, who wouldn’t? So it’s all about just working out some kinks. My agents have a job to do, and so does management here," said Hutson. Why the Canadiens must extend Lane Hutson without delay Whatever the problem, the Canadiens need to give in. A long-term deal fixes the cost of a defensive pillar like Hutson and would protect them against inflation if he plays well. Closing the deal now would avoid distractions and mixed messages. A young pillar needs stability to focus on his role. The worst for Montreal would be a short contract next season. That would empower the player after a breakout and complicate the salary cap. Hutson's ceiling as a power-play quarterback is hard to replace. The Canadiens should pay for that upside now, not later. It is too early to assume the Canadiens will lose Hutson, but the mere possibility is a major danger signal. The young player is key for Montreal, as he reduces first-pass errors and breaks high pressure with diagonal supports. His ability to turn under the forecheck turns defensive possessions into attacks with numerical advantage. Hutson often drives and fixes markers on the blueline to create controlled entries, sustaining long cycles and improving shot quality. With him on ice, the team attacks in an organized way instead of with disordered counterattacks. It's rare that Montreal hesitates at this point. His value in five to eight years will far exceed the current cost. An extension would signal a stable project. Doubts do the opposite.
Jacksonville Jaguars Announce Unfortunate Decision After Win Against Chiefs
The Jacksonville Jaguars ended their 16-year losing streak to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night after a thrilling 31-28 victory at EverBank Stadium. Trevor Lawrence turned in another strong performance to help lead the Jaguars to victory with 18-of-25 completed passes for 221 yards and one touchdown. It wasn’t all good news for the Jaguars, though, who improved to 4-1 after taking down Patrick Mahomes and the mighty Chiefs. They lost starting tight end Brenton Strange in the first half after the former Penn State Nittany Lions star suffered a hip injury. Strange was unable to return to the game, and tests have determined a significant quad issue for the 24-year-old. The Jaguars took to social media on Tuesday to announce that Strange has been placed on injured reserve (IR), which means he will be forced to miss at least four games due to his hip problem. “The Jacksonville Jaguars have made the following roster moves: Placed TE Brenton Strange on injured reserve Signed WR Tim Jones to the practice squad Released WR Erik Ezukanma from the practice squad,” JaguarsPR posted on X. In five games played this season, Strange has already registered a team-high 20 catches for 204 yards. He hasn’t scored a touchdown yet, but is currently on pace to set career-high receiving marks. This injury is a tough blow amid his strong start, and the hope is that Strange will be able to pick up where he left off once he’s healthy enough to return. The silver lining for the Jaguars here is that Strange has reportedly avoided a season-ending injury, and the team expects him to be back in around a month. For now, Jacksonville will need to turn to the likes of Johnny Mundt and Hunter Long to fill the void at tight end. The Jaguars also announced on Tuesday that they’ve brought in WR Tim Jones to the practice squad, while Erik Ezukanma has been released. It remains to be seen if Jones will be able to do enough to earn a spot on the active roster. Jacksonville’s next game is on Sunday as they take on the 3-2 Seattle Seahawks in a home game at EverBank Stadium for Week 6.
Cowboys coach makes it sound like personnel change some were expecting won't happen ahead of Week 6
Brewers' Pat Murphy Announces Unexpected Decision Before Cubs Game
The Milwaukee Brewers enter Wednesday with a chance to advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2018. They followed up a historic regular season, winning a franchise-record 97 games, with a strong start to the postseason by taking the first two games of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs. Manager Pat Murphy has continued to make the right calls and get the most out of his roster. The Brewers have excelled in all phases this year, showcasing their offensive firepower by scoring 16 runs across games 1 and 2. Pitcher Quinn Priester will get the start for the Brewers for Game 3, who has broken out with Milwaukee after struggling for the first two seasons of his career. As the series transitions to Wrigley Field, Murphy made a few notable adjustments to his starting lineup. After rolling out the same starting nine for the first two matchups, Murphy removed Andrew Vaughn for Jake Bauers, which has been a recurring theme with both interchanging at first base depending on the opposition’s starting pitcher. However, Murphy also unexpectedly decided to place Brandon Lockridge in the lineup in place of Blake Perkins. Lockridge barely made the postseason roster over Rhys Hoskins and has not started a game since Aug. 28. While Murphy is likely leaning into the platoon advantage by stacking left-handed bats against Chicago’s right-handed starter Jameson Taillon, it’s still surprising to see Lockridge in the starting lineup. He’s a left-handed hitter with limited experience and minimal offensive production, posting a .231 batting average and .574 OPS over 67 games. His value lies almost entirely in his defense. Perkins, another defensive-minded option, bats right-handed and offers little more at the plate. Meanwhile, Isaac Collins continues to sit despite being the most balanced choice. A switch hitter, Collins would still give Milwaukee the platoon edge from the left side and brings far more offensive upside than Lockridge. In 130 games this season, Collins hit .263 with a .368 on-base percentage, a .779 OPS, nine home runs and 16 stolen bases while providing serviceable defense in the outfield. Murphy’s decision to start Lockridge over Collins raises questions as Milwaukee looks to close out the series on the road.
Why HC Andy Reid is to blame for Chiefs' collapse vs. Jaguars
The Kansas City Chiefs seemed to be in total control on "Monday Night Football." They jumped to an early 14-0 lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars and were dominating on both sides of the ball before it all went downhill. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was 29-of-41 with a touchdown and an interception, while Jaguars signal-caller Trevor Lawrence was 18-of-25, also with a TD and an interception. Despite similar stat lines, it was Lawrence who rallied his squad to a 31-28 win. The difference? The Chiefs drew a whopping 13 penalties, making it incredibly difficult for them to pull out a win as they constantly went backwards and gave up yards. That said, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid didn't seem to agree with some of the calls: "We had 13 penalties, to their 4," Reid said, per Harold R. Kuntz. "Whether I agree with them or don't agree w/ them, it doesn't matter. They called them. So, you have that many penalties, you give up field position, you can out stat them to death, but that doesn't matter. It's the score that matters." Andy Reid must be held accountable Reid is entitled to his opinion, but Monday night's game wasn't an outlier. The Chiefs have become one of the most undisciplined teams in the league, and that ultimately falls on the coach. Reid has also stuck with Jawaan Taylor at right tackle, even though he's leading the league in penalties for yet another season. As pointed out by Josh Dubow of Associated Press, the Chiefs are currently tied sixth for the most enforced penalties per game (8.4), fifth in enforced penalty yards per game (70), tied for the second-worst penalty differential (-13) and the third-worst team in penalty yard differential (-90). It's too early to sound the alarms, but undisciplined teams rarely go the distance. Reid is one of the greatest NFL head coaches of all time, but he needs to be held accountable and, more importantly, get to work to fix these issues.
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