Rittich believes he can play more than 60 games next season
David Rittich is eyeing a larger share of the workload in the Calgary Flames' crease.
The goaltender, who re-signed with the club on a two-year, $5.5-million deal Saturday, made it clear he's focused on playing a bigger role in 2019-20 than he did last season.
"I would like to play more than last year, but it's up to how I play," Rittich told Sportsnet's Eric Francis on Saturday. "I'm working really hard so I think I can play more than 60 games."
Rittich, who suited up for 45 contests while splitting time with Mike Smith in 2018-19, feels his new contract will give him the chance to earn the No. 1 role outright.
"I'm happy with two years," he said. "I can prove I can be a starting goaltender."
Rittich excelled out of the gate this past season, but his performance waned down the stretch, and he ultimately ceded goaltending duties to Smith entirely during the Flames' short-lived playoff run.
Smith left Calgary to sign with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, and the Flames inked former Oilers goalie Cam Talbot to serve as Rittich's new partner in the crease.
Rittich finished his first full NHL campaign with a .911 save percentage and a record of 27-9-5.
He has a .909 career save percentage in 67 career games across three seasons. Calgary originally signed him out of the Czech Extraliga in June 2016.