The hearts of Nashville Predators fans collectively sank when it was revealed Thursday that Pekka Rinne could miss up to five weeks with a sprained knee.
Rinne, 32, currently leads the NHL in wins with 29, boasting an outstanding 1.96 goals-against average and .931 save percentage. The Finnish stalwart is the frontrunner in both the Vezina and Hart Trophy races and recently earned his first NHL All-Star appearance – unfortunately he won’t be able to participate.
If the Predators were desperate to acquire a goalie for a short-term fix they could potentially look at Buffalo Sabres netminders Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth, both of whom are expected to garner interest leading up to the trade deadline. They could also see what Martin Brodeur’s status is with the St. Louis Blues.
It likely won’t come to that, though, because the Predators have two capable backups – Carter Hutton and Marek Mazanec.
Here’s a closer look at the two men responsible for filling in for Rinne after spending most of their NHL careers in his shadow:
Carter Hutton
Age: 29
Catches: Left
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 195 pounds
Drafted: Undrafted
Career NHL stats: 47 games, 20-25-6 record, .909 save percentage, 2.63 GAA
He assumed this role last season
When Rinne was out with a hip surgery and subsequent infection during the 2013-14 campaign, Hutton stepped up and played 40 games for Nashville. The Thunder Bay, Ont., native performed admirably if a bit inconsistent and helped keep his team in the playoff hunt until late in the season.
He is confident despite poor numbers
Hutton is 0-3-2 in six appearances this season with a .905 save percentage and 2.60 GAA, but that doesn’t bother him.
“Obviously it hurts losing [Rinne], but at the same time I think everyone in this room is confident in me, and I’m confident in myself to get in there,” Hutton told reporters Thursday.
He once had a ridiculous season in junior
During the 2005-06 season, Hutton went 33-1 with the Fort William North Stars in the Superior International Junior Hockey League. He would go on to spend four years at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010, spent a few seasons bouncing around the AHL and ECHL before signing with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012. He played one game with the Cup-winning Blackhawks that season before signing a two-way contract with the Preds prior to the start of last season.
He once made this miracle save
Hutton isn’t a big goalie, so he needs to be mindful of how deep in his crease he gets and his rebound control isn’t stellar. Luckily his quickness and reflexes allow him to make some spectacular saves if he finds himself out of position.
Marek Mazanec
Age: 23
Catches: Right
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 187 pounds
Drafted: 179th overall in 2012
Career NHL stats: 25 games, 8-10-4 record, .902 save percentage, 2.80 GAA
He’s on a hot streak
Mazanec was called up by the Predators Thursday and has been playing very well for the Milwaukee Admirals in the American Hockey League lately. He is 4-0-2 in his last six AHL starts with the Admirals and has stopped 61-of-64 shots in his last three starts, which were all wins.
He has pro experience and learned from Tuukka Rask
Prior to joining the Admirals in 2013-14, he spent three seasons playing for Plzen HC in his native Czech Republic. During the NHL’s lockout in 2012, he shared the crease with Rask. Some of his former teammates also include ex-NHLers Martin Straka, Jaroslav Spacek and Ryan Hollweg
He’s big like Rinne
Mazanec is reminiscent of how Rinne was early in his career. He has size on his size, but needs to fill out a bit. His 187 pounds are spread across his six-foot-four frame, which qualifies him as lanky.
He learned how to be tough in the AHL (sort of)
One more thing: It’s not all on the goalies
As well as Rinne has played this season, he’s not the sole reason the Preds have occupied the top spot in the Central Division for the majority of the season.
“I expect our guys to go out [Friday against the Washington Capitals] and play an aggressive game. But we got to go out and do that. Everybody’s got to go out and do their job,” head coach Peter Laviolette told reporters Thursday.
