"When Mathieu Darche took over as New York Islanders general manager, the mandate was clear: stabilize the present without sacrificing the future. Big swings would come later. In the meantime, the margins mattered. Putting aside the NHL Draft, no move better reflects that approach than the signing of David Rittich, which is quickly shaping up to be Darche's most important decision of his first offseason."
"Rittich wasn't brought in to replace Ilya Sorokin. With Semyon Varlamov's short and long-term status in question (and still in question), he was brought in to protect him, support him, and give the Islanders a chance to win games when their No. 1 needed rest or when circumstances demanded it. So far, he's done exactly that - and more."
Mathieu Darche prioritized stabilizing the present roster without sacrificing the future upon becoming Islanders general manager. He signed David Rittich to protect and support the team's No. 1 goaltender amid uncertainty around Semyon Varlamov and to provide reliable relief when rest or circumstances demanded it. Rittich has produced decisive performances, including stopping 14 of 15 early shots against New Jersey, denying Jack Hughes on a breakaway, and later matching Connor Brown and Luke Hughes while losing a skate blade. Fans chanted his name and teammates awarded him the Iron Man mask after his eighth win.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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