Predators sign Rinne to 2-year, $10M extension
Happy Birthday, Pekka Rinne.
The Nashville Predators and their star goaltender have agreed on a two-year, $10 million extension, the team announced Saturday.
Rinne, who turned 36 Saturday, was set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
The 2018 Vezina Trophy winner is off to a strong start so far this year. He missed nearly two weeks due to an injury, but owns a sparkling .940 save percentage and 1.91 goals-against average in six games.
The instant analysis of Rinne's contract can be summed up in one word: bargain. When his contract kicks in next season, his $5-million cap hit will rank tied for 13th in the league with Frederik Andersen among the league's highest-paid goaltenders - and that doesn't include pending free agents Sergei Bobrovsky or Semyon Varlamov.
Rinne's contract also includes a 10-team no-trade list, according to The Athletic's Adam Vingan.
Oddly enough, Rinne signed his previous extension - a 7-year, $49-million deal - on his birthday as well.