Pekka Rinne has been a mainstay in the Nashville Predators' net since the 2008-09 season, proving to be one of the NHL's most consistent goaltenders from then until now.
However, there's another star netminder waiting in the weeds: 21-year-old Juuse Saros, who picked up his first-career shutout Friday night with a 25-save effort versus the Blues.
Saros only has seven NHL games under his belt, so if this is the first time you're hearing his name, be sure to remember it.
In those seven games, Saros owns a .947 save percentage and a measly 1.43 goals-against average. It doesn't appear to be beginners' luck, either, as Saros has been rock solid everywhere he's played.
| Season | League | Record | Sv% | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | SM-liiga (Finland) | 16-16-8 | 0.928 | 1.76 |
| 2014-15 | SM-liiga (Finland) | 13-18-16 | 0.929 | 2.13 |
| 2015-16 | AHL | 29-8-0 | 0.920 | 2.24 |
| 2016-17 | AHL | 11-2-0 | 0.938 | 1.76 |
Reminder: he's 21. The Predators selected him 99th overall in 2013.
Saros' strong AHL season has afforded him the opportunity to earn starts with the big club, and if he keeps on his current pace, the 34-year-old Rinne would be sure to welcome some extra rest heading into the stretch run.
Don't expect a controversy in the cage, though. Rinne is their go-to guy, and Saros told Adam Vignan of The Tennessean that he idolized his fellow Finn growing up.
As Rinne approaches the end of his contract (two more seasons at $7 million), don't be surprised to see Saros receive an increased workload.
Nashville has had a solid foundation in its crease for nearly a decade now, and with Saros on the rise, it appears the future holds much of the same.
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