Smith or Rittich

[stevegamer]

I have the Grubauer/Francouz handcuff. Thanks for the responses so far.

I'd want Rittich, as I feel he's more likely to give you a good game ratio-wise that helps than Smith. This is essentially your #3 goalie spot, so you don't need volume quite as much.

[Axeman33]

There are probably a few leagues out there that use it, but not many. It simply shows that Smith is worse. By a bit.

Im not worried about other leagues. I am responding to one persons league question and in this league, Smith is a very logical option versus Rittich, especially we you consider Rittich now has to deal with Markstrom stealing starts.

[tweetdrivr]

Im not worried about other leagues. I am responding to one persons league question and in this league, Smith is a very logical option versus Rittich, especially we you consider Rittich now has to deal with Markstrom stealing starts.

Agree to disagree. This is why fantasy is so much fun. We can argue about this stuff and at the of the season we get the result. We really should put together a league of the most opinionated Dobber posters who aren’t writers for the site like you and I and raytaylor etc...

[Pengwin7]

Smith for me.
Goalies are mental... we know this.
I think Smith's SV% has dropped the last two seasons on the pressure that he was supposed to be a #1 goalie.
It's a lot of pressure, especially in a big market like CGY or EDM.

He's NOT the #1 goalie for EDM, by past year or by salary.
This should ease some pressure on him.
EDM's D is also a year more mature and has Barrie. I like this.
The team has finally committed to some more veteran depth at C3 - which I like.
Smith is in the twilight of his career... he has $45m in career earnings. He should be just fine, relax, play, ride off into the sunset.
The pressure in EDM is on Koskinen... who has a $4.5m tag... and is EXPECTED to put up wins. If he doesn't... HIS NHL CAREER may be over in summer of 2022.

EDM is a team where I can see the back-up (Smith) getting 40% starts.
If he wins 50% of those... that's .2 x 56gp = 11w.

Meanwhile, I don't like the pressure this year on Rittich.
He just had Markstrom sign a big deal, so he's a bonafide #2 goalie... going into a UFA summer. (i.e. Rittich has no guaranteed income after this year.)
If Rittich doesn't put up solid numbers, he may be out of an NHL job next year.
Too.much.pressure.
In CGY's pipeline is Zagidulin (age 25, possibly cheap back-up next year).
Then they may want to try out Parsons (age 23)... and long-term, on final years of Markstrom deal... Dustin Wolf.


So, here, I see Markstrom getting at least 67% of starts, leaving Rittich 1/3.
Same win rate for CGY, maybe 50%.

Rittich = .33 x .5 x 56gp = 9w.
Plus that pressure on Rittich of NOT having a contract beyond this summer... that should get in his mind and hurt his SV%.


For one year - put me in the Mike Smith camp.

[tweetdrivr]

Dobber has Rittich down for 16W in 30 games and Smith with 15W in 31 games. Pretty close. I’m still going with Rittich because his ratios will be better. He’s definitely the better of two below average goalies.

[Belexus75]

Dobber has Rittich down for 16W in 30 games and Smith with 15W in 31 games. Pretty close. I’m still going with Rittich because his ratios will be better. He’s definitely the better of two below average goalies.

neither is getting 30 games....but Edmonton situation is closer to a split then one in Calgary. As i said earlier i think Rittich will have slightly better stats where Smith will will 3-4 extra games imo.

[Pengwin7]

BUMP-a-roo.
Can we claim a winner on this one?

[Axeman33]

BUMP-a-roo.
Can we claim a winner on this one?

I'd say so, pretty clear too. Guess we can say Smith doesn't suck after all.

[hockeyrobot]

Haha right when I saw this I knew. And I voted for Rittich above. Damn.

[Feenom]

Sucky Smith > Sucky Rittich