Rittich will start the season as the No. 2 in Calgary, per Kristen Anderson of The Calgary Sun.

EDGE Analysis

Rittich has been battling with Jon Gillies all preseason for the backup job for the Flames and appears to have come out on top. Having said that, if the Czech struggles at any point, the club could certainly flip the backups. Either way, Mike Smith figures to see the bulk of the starts this season.

Rittich gave up four goals on 18 shots in Tuesday's 7-5 preseason win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

All four goals against Rittich were scored in the first period, and he exited halfway through the second in favor of Jon Gillies. This wasn't a very inspiring outing considering Calgary dressed most of its best regulars and San Jose didn't. The backup job behind Mike Smith is still up in the air at this point, though Rittich probably hurt his chances with this poor showing.

Rittich will get the start in goal in Tuesday's home preseason game against the Sharks, Kristen Anderson of The Calgary Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rittich was sharp in his last appearance Sunday against Vancouver, turning aside 14 of 15 shots en route to a 5-2 victory. He'll get the first crack at San Jose, but Jon Gillies will likely relieve him midway through the contest.

Rittich stopped 14 of 15 shots from the Canucks in Saturday's 5-2 preseason home win.

EDGE Analysis

Rittich played the second half of the contest, with a Brandon Sutter power-play goal in the third period counting as the only damage against him. Still, he's only 1-1-0 with a suspect 3.28 GAA and .897 save percentage for Calgary through three preseason games. Rittch has received more work than any other Flames netminder as the team prepares for the 2018-19 campaign.

Rittich is slated to start Wednesday night versus the Canucks in Vancouver, according to Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

EDGE Analysis

Rittich was shelled against the Oilers on Monday, allowing six goals on 27 shots in a 7-4 home loss, but it appears that he'll have a chance to make up for his early struggles in the upcoming split-squad contest. The 26-year-old netminder didn't accompany the team to China for the O.R.G. games against the Bruins.

Rittich will patrol the crease for Monday's preseason meeting with Edmonton, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Perhaps more significant is the fact that Rittich is expected to play the whole game, as the club tried to determine who will be the No. 2 behind Mike Smith. It's a crowded group that includes Jon Gillies and Jeff Glass with no early favorite at this point.

Rittich signed a one-year, $800,000 contract extension with the Flames on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Rittich filed for salary arbitration six days after the free-agency signing period opened. The Czech backstop recorded a 8-6-3 record, 2.92 GAA and .904 save percentage over 21 games last season, and he figures to push Jon Gillies for the No. 2 job in training camp ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Rittich elected for salary arbitration Thursday, according to NHLPA.com.

EDGE Analysis

Rittich compiled an 8-6-3 record, 2.92 GAA and .904 save percentage through 21 games as a rookie in 2017-18. Oddly enough, he performed worse in a 12-game run with AHL Stockton that same season. The 25-year-old is presumably looking for a raise after netting $725,000/$110,000 on a one-year, two-way deal.

Rittich received a qualifying offer from Calgary on Monday, Kristen Anderson of Postmedia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rittich appeared in 21 NHL games last season, registering a 2.92 GAA and .904 average with an 8-6-3 record. The Flames have several young goaltenders, including Jon Gillies and Nick Schneider, that will be competing for the backup job behind Mike Smith, with Gillies and Rittich both receiving tenders. Rittich will likely bounce between the AHL and NHL levels once again next season.

Rittich was reassigned to AHL Stockton on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Rittich, who lost to the Sharks on Saturday after getting lit up for five goals on 33 shots, descends a rank in order for the Flames to get a longer look at prospect Jon Gillies. It's probably safe to cut ties with the former now that he's back in the AHL.