The Chronicles of Rittich
- Thread starter K-Man #32
- Start date
Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
I'd give Copley a shot and also we need a lot more than a backup goalie at this point.
JC6388LAKings
Super Star
Copley definitely should be called up. Rittich has declined so badly this season that he turned into Jeff Zatkoff from the 16-17 era Kings. At this point, Rittich has to be put on waivers. I wouldn't shed a tear if another team claims him.
Rog or Reg?
Super Star
Obviously Dave had a bad game last night...really bad...three of those four goals fall on him. But the rest of the team was equally dreadful: Slow sloppy and unfocused, not unlike the Dallas game. Heck, I thought we played much better against the Stars.
But this wasn't a one-off for Rittich; he's been bad for a while now, and this needs to be addressed ASAP, regardless if it's via a trade or bringing back Copley. Either that or we ride Darcy the rest of the way, and that's asking a lot.
But Dave did not look like an NHL-caliber goalie last night.
But this wasn't a one-off for Rittich; he's been bad for a while now, and this needs to be addressed ASAP, regardless if it's via a trade or bringing back Copley. Either that or we ride Darcy the rest of the way, and that's asking a lot.
But Dave did not look like an NHL-caliber goalie last night.
DryKing
Power Forward
Agreed, Dave has been bad for far too long now and the Kings have given him plenty of opportunities to succeed. His .889 save percentage just isn't cutting it. I'm not the biggest believer in Copely but he has been playing well in the AHL and deserves a shot.
I'm sure the Kings have to worry, though, should either Riitich or Copely (if they choose to bring him up and he doesn't deliver) get picked up on waivers given how thing they are at goalie, though.
MonkeysUncle
Prospect
Waiting for the Quick to La rumors
DoubleMinor
Top Forward
Rittich had been typical of backup goalies, where he just gave up a bad goal or two. Lately he’s just been bad. Nothing against him personally, he seems like a good guy and teammate.
The Kings need someone to help down the stretch. Whether it’s Copley or a trade they need to have a chance in games where Darcy gets a rest. Right now, Rittich gives them no chance. And Darcy can’t play every game especially with three back-to-backs on the remaining schedule. Gotta get someone else.
Birdman
TEAM LGK
Rittich and a Pick?
DoubleMinor
Top Forward
I cannot imagine Quick would come back. He’s a proud man who felt the org did him wrong. Not sure he will ever get past it.
But I hope I’m wrong. I’d love to see him finish here.
DryKing
Power Forward
Agreed, I like Riitich but right now he is as close to a guaranteed loss in net (on this team) as they come. It's time to make a change.
As stands, we have next to no shot of getting out of the first round if Kuemper goes down with an injury. Blake neglected drafting goalies for too long and now we are paying the price.
DoubleMinor
Top Forward
Which probably goes back to the Cal situation. Blake figured Cal was the goalie for a decade and stopped drafting for the position. Once Cal flopped there was a void, and we got Korpisalo and Talbot.
Keumper has been good. But he’s not going to play at this level for long. Obviously the hope is Portillo in the next year or two. But if that doesn’t happen the goalie position doesn’t look good.
Rusty
I lost my password
Rittich is in a slump, which all players go through. Unfortunately, the Kings cannot afford to let him play through it. Copley is 2.45 and .906 and does not offer a significant upgrade evidenced by the 8 goal hit to his GA over the weekend in back to back games in Colorado.
Portillo has not played since Feb. 17 and is likely injured.
Any trade just exposes weaknesses elsewhere.
Welcome to sports...
Portillo has not played since Feb. 17 and is likely injured.
Any trade just exposes weaknesses elsewhere.
Welcome to sports...
DryKing
Power Forward
Agreed. Darcy is signed through 26/27 at which point he will become a UFA at 37. He's essentially bought us 3 years to find a starter, after which it's likely he will still be a high tier backup but not likely remain starter caliber any longer. Thankfully Blake has drafted a couple prospects with good aptitude over the last two drafts, but it's hard to think either will be ready for a starting role by 27 (though it could happen). Portillo really is our best option at this point, though I have heard mixed reviews on him (I don't really view him as having a legitimate chance at being an NHL starter).
Likely Blake will have no choice but to sign at least a very good backup this summer (if not sooner).
Rog or Reg?
Super Star
I've been a big fan of Big Dave for some time. Yeah, he's a a slump for sure. It happens. But not only did he misplay a puck via a bad decision, which led directly to a goal, he was beat glove-side twice, and his reaction time was weak on both goals. Generally speaking, most NHL goalies make both of those saves.
So, I guess we ride Darcy for the time being and hope for the best?
So, I guess we ride Darcy for the time being and hope for the best?
DoubleMinor
Top Forward
What makes you hesitant about Portillo?
I know nothing about him other than what I’ve read, which isn’t all that much.
I honestly have never known much about prospects, goalies in particular. I don’t see them play outside of brief appearances in preseason.
Until I see enough of them in the NHL I can’t make judgements.
Some folks on these message boards seem to have more knowledge re prospects.
But I’m curious on Portillo. Sounds like the plan is to have him backup Kuemper next year.
DryKing
Power Forward
The biggest knocks about him seem to be rebound control and relying too much on athleticism rather than fundamentals.
Thoughts are that the lack of rebound control will pose the biggest problem at the NHL level. Much of the rebounds are caused due to not quite being in the right position to make the save, which comes back to fundamentals. There is also a fear that as he ages, and with his size, his athleticism may fade and if his fundamentals aren't strong he may not have a long career at the NHL level..
He's waiver exempt this year, so the fact that the Kings have not brought him back up for a stint, given Rittich's struggles, tells me there is a lot they feel he has left to work on. Additionally, the fact he has been struggling in the AHL this season doesn't help - but that could be partially due to the Kings focusing on converting his play-style (therein addressing his weaknesses instead of allowing him to avoid/cover them).
He did look good in his NHL debut, though he faced more than twice as many rebound shots (5) compared to his expected RSA (2.25)
DoubleMinor
Top Forward
Interesting overview and explanation.
Again, I just have no knowledge of guys in Ontario or elsewhere for that matter.
The thing for me with the prospects is we just never know until they get to the NHL, and even for some it takes awhile. It’s hard for me to get too excited until we see them.
If memory serves, wasn’t Bernier supposed to be “the guy” before Quick surprised everyone?
Young guys need to show that they can play with the best. It’s a big difference between Ontario caliber and LA. The NHL players have the talent and have learned all the tricks. It’s faster, less room and the stick play is way beyond the lower levels.
I guess best case, barring a trade for a goalie, is that both Kuemper and Portillo are at least serviceable for the next two years and a prospect appears early. I haven’t seen enough with Rittich this year to see him back next year. If Portillo isn’t ready then an off-season move for a backup looks like a target. If they are looking for a goalie that tells us how they view Portillo, I think anyway.
