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.

Rittich allowed five goals on 33 shots in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

It was a tough day. Rittich got almost no support from his teammates and the Sharks sent wave after wave of shooters at him. His record slips to 8-6-3 with the loss.

Rittich will rough up the visitor's crease Saturday against the Sharks, the Flames' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rittich stopped four of the five shots he faced in relief of Mike Smith on Wednesday against the Ducks and will receive a look in the cage Saturday as Smith gets a night off. Most of Rittich's action -- 14 of 20 appearances -- has come on the road this season. Over those 14 matchups, the 25-year-old netminder has accumulated a 2.59 GAA and a .917 save percentage to earn an 8-3-2 record. He faces a tough challenge to improve that record, squaring off against a Sharks club averaging four goals per game in March.

Rittich stopped four of five shots in the third period, as the damage was mostly done in a 4-0 loss to Anaheim on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

That's now twice in less than a week where Rittich has come in during a backup situation. That's not ideal for any team, and it could lead to Rittich getting another chance to start. If the Flames go in that direction, he could make a solid cheap play in a daily situation with the right matchup.

Rittich made seven saves on seven shots in relief of Mike Smith during a 7-4 loss to the Sharks on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old kept the Flames in the game, but the damage was already done once he took the net early in the third period. Coming back from injury, Smith is still trying to find his game, so don't be surprised if Rittich receives another start soon. Depending on the matchup, Rittich could be a good streaming option, as he owns a .968 save percentage over his last three appearances.

Rittich allowed one goal on 30 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Senators on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The one goal he yielded let the Senators make things interesting in the final few minutes, but Rittich posted his second straight 1-goal performance. However, Rittich has been up and down during his rookie campaign, and it's probably too early to make any decisions off this latest mini hot streak. These last two stellar performance came against two of the weakest offensive teams in the league - Buffalo and Ottawa. Owners should see how he does in his next start before fully trusting him in standard formats.

Rittich will start in goal Friday evening, fielding shots from host Ottawa, Derek Wills of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie has naturally experienced peaks and valleys in his debut campaign. After coughing up 11 goals combined in losses to the Golden Knights and Avalanche, respectively, he prevailed over the Sabres with a 25-save gem. Yes, Buffalo is known as one of the NHL's weaker clubs, but it's nice to know that Rittch is capabale of busting out of a slump in short order. He'll face another team that won't make the playoffs in Ottawa, who reportedly will counter with Mike Condon.