Pekka Rinne gave a strong assessment of the Leijonat star – “The future NHL number one goaltender”
Pekka Rinne will be inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Finnish time.
Among the current Finnish goalies in the NHL, the 43-year-old legend highlights one name in particular, who has all the tools to become a number one goalie in the NHL in the coming years.
– Justus Annunen is on that path, and I believe he has a chance to be the number one goalie in the NHL, Rinne assessed to SuomiKiekko.
– Certainly, especially mentally, last spring’s world championship, where Justus was the starting goalie, was a huge thing for him.
The 26-year-old Annunen, who serves as the backup goalie for Juuse Saros at the Nashville Predators, has had his current season overshadowed by injuries.
– During the training camp, Justus struggled with minor injuries and has only played a couple of games. Still, I see that Justus has a lot to give, Rinne believes.
The goalie legend also highlights a couple of young Liiga goalies who, in his opinion, have a very bright future ahead of them.
– For example, Daniel Salonen, who was drafted into the NHL, has been able to take the number one goalie position at Lukko. Petteri Rimpinen is one of the best goalies in the Liiga. There are good signs in the air, and from the younger ones, at least good professional goalies are coming, Rinne lists.
Having ended his playing career in 2021, Rinne revealed in an interview organized for Finnish media on Thursday that he has received contract offers from various clubs even years after his career ended.
– Until last year, there have been opportunities to play. Surprisingly long after I retired, I have received quite interesting offers from different leagues, Rinne reveals.
Rinne played over 700 games during his 15-year NHL career, including playoffs. He was awarded the Vezina Trophy for the best goalie in the NHL once during his career.
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