Flames re-sign David Rittich to two-year deal ($2.75M AAV)

Good news, everybody! Mere hours after both sides filed their salary arbitration stances, the Calgary Flames have agreed to terms with goaltender David Rittich on a two-year contract with $2.75 million per season.

The deal buys one year of Rittich’s unrestricted free agency eligibility. He’ll have the same cap hit as backup Cam Talbot for the 2019-20 season.

Rittich, 26, joined the Flames as an undrafted free agent just three seasons ago. He had a strong first season in the American Hockey League in 2016-17, out-performing Jon Gillies. Then he took over the Flames’ backup job in 2017-18 for a faltering Eddie Lack. He spent much of 2018-19 as the Flames’ starting goaltender until a knee injury dropped him to backup while Mike Smith started during the stretch drive.

And now? The Flames (and Rittich) get two seasons to figure out if those first three months are what Rittich is truly capable of being.

As their final arbitration case has been settled, the Flames will gain access to the second buyout window beginning in 48 hours and ending on Thursday at 3 p.m. MT.