Why we sat Pekka Rinne...

Some have asked why Dayton sat Pekka Rinne for a week when the team was within 2 points of having the best record in the CCHL? Dayton actually led the CCHL in winning percentage for a few days just before Christmas and things seemed to be going well.

So, why did Rinne get sat down?

Short answer, he was tired.

Like really tired.

"Olin niin väsynyt menemään jouluun, pyysin vähän taukoa, jotta olisin valmiina pudotuspeliin. Voin paljon paremmin." (Translation: "I was so tired heading into Christmas, I asked for a bit of a break so I'd be ready for the playoff push. I feel much better," said Rinne.)

Pekka Rinne had started forty-five of Dayton's first fifty games in this season. Corey Crawford, now a member of the Millers, had one start in net and did relief duty in two other games that Rinne started. To start 90% of a team's first fifty games is a bit unusual and especially in Simon, where fatigue and a sometimes quirky schedule puts goalies in a position of three games in three nights.

Rinne has performed as well as any other goalie in the league. Rinne's body of work for the 2019-20 season puts him in an elite stature among other CCHL netminders.

1st in Wins
2nd in save percentage
2nd in goals-against average
3rd in shots faced
3rd in minutes played

A W/L record of 31-12-3 from the veteran Finnish goalie puts him at the top of any serious MVP list for the Musicmen this season.

General manager Bill Corfield, when asked about Rinne's future with the team after last night's victory over Capeside responded, "Pekka is a huge, HUGE part of our team. His performance has been outstanding this year and he looked strong and fresh last night against the Loons, stopping 24 of 25 shots. He's our horse, our number one if anyone had any doubts about that. Mike Smith has done exactly what we thought he would do when we traded for him. He's one of the best backup goalies in the CCHL and we're happy to have him."

Looking forward to next season, Dayton has a bit of a surplus of depth in nets. Rookies Tristan Jarry (who currently leads the NHL in save percentage and GAA) and Pavel Francouz (who sits fifth in NHL save % and top ten in GAA) will easily qualify for a full season for the 'Men in 20-21. "To have two younger options in net going forward gives us a lot of flexibility. It's possible we might move one of our goalies prior to the CCHL trade deadline. The return for either would have to be a significant upgrade to our team," said the GM.

When asked if Rinne would be back next year, Corfield said, "Maybe. He's a number one and would make any team he'd play for better, no question about it. Our team profiles well for next season..the Guentzel thing really hurts, for sure, but we like how we look today and heading into 20-21. And before you ask, could we possibly trade Rinne before the deadline, let me say it would take a helluva offer. We see ourselves as a serious contender right now. Defense wins championships and we're the best defensive team in the league. On the other hand, if we found ourselves  - for whatever reason - thinking this wasn't going to be our year - remember we have a heck of a stretch of games against Siberia, Hamilton etc...coming up to measure ourselves by - we'd have to have a serious conversation about microtargeting the teams that could use an upgrade in nets heading into the playoffs."

"Right now, Pekka is the man in the Dayton nets, but never say never..."