The Islanders are inking free agent goaltender David Rittich to a deal, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports. The team announced it’s a one-year deal, although financial terms weren’t disclosed. Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News reports it’s worth around $1MM. They’ve also signed defenseman Ethan Bear to a two-way deal with a $425K guarantee, per PuckPedia.
Rittich will join the Islanders as an insurance bet for veteran goalie Semyon Varlamov, who missed the bulk of the 2024-25 season due to a long-term, knee injury. Varlamov underwent surgery to address the issue in December, and has been rehabbing with a return in mind ever since. He wasn’t able to return in time for the end of the season, but has affirmed that he’ll be ready for training camp at the end of the summer.
Should Varlamov need additional time, the Islanders will be able to lean on Rittich to back up the heavy workload of Ilya Sorokin. Rittich spent the last two seasons backing up Cam Talbot and Darcy Kuemper with the Los Angeles Kings. He was tasked with stepping into 24 games of the 2023-24 season, then climbed to 34 games last year as Kuemper battled through injury. He found an interesting balance over two seasons in L.A., managing a stout .921 save percentage in his first year but a dismal .886 save percentage this season. His record fell positive in both seasons, ultimately totaling at 29-20-5 in 58 games.
The backup role in Los Angeles brought Rittich through his ninth season, and 230th game, in the NHL. He has appeared in stretches with the Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators, and Toronto Maple Leafs in that span. In total, Rittich has amassed a .904 save percentage and 204-108-71 record. He’ll be a cheap third-string option that should help New York mitigate their trend of injury-riddled seasons.
The Islanders will also add Bear as an important piece of depth. The 28-year-old defenseman spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, where he stood out as one of the best defenders across the minor leagues. He finished the season with 10 goals, 46 points, 30 penalty minutes, and a plus-33 through 62 games. That was enough to finish eighth among AHL defenders in points, and second in plus-minus. Bear struggled to find a hardy role through tenures with the Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, or Washington Capitals. With that said, he’s still managed a stout 67 points, 112 penalty minutes, and minus-14 through 275 appearances in the NHL. If he can find a strong groove, he could surge back to the NHL on an Islanders blue-line in need of right-side support.
The dumbest conversation I’ve heard in a LONG time…
Sid has been SO clear.
Take a look at his resume. Winning another Cup as a passenger on some random team as a mercenary adds literally nothing to it.
Being one of the few who plays their whole career with one team (like his hero Steve Yzerman or his mentor Mario Lemieux) does.
EJ has been wanking to this stupidity for years now. He and Weekes need to let it go.
Does this mean that Varlamov is on the move?
Varlamov is healthy and ready to go for training camp so is he getting dealt?
That’s the question, Rittch is a capable backup, So one of the netminders will be moved, I’m guessing it won’t be Sorokin.
I’m genuinely rooting for Bear, He’s a talented kid, And I hope he gets back in the league every day.