David Rittich - NHL News & Rumors

Appears on waivers Rittich was placed on waivers by New Jersey on Sunday.

Impact Out of the six players sent to the waiver wire by New Jersey on Sunday, Rittich was by far the biggest shock. The 34-year-old netminder was signed to a one-year, $1 million contract on the second day of free agency and entered training camp as the projected No. 2 option for the upcoming campaign. He was a strong backup with the Islanders in 2025-26, where he posted a 14-10-3 record, a 2.76 GAA and an .894 save percentage across 30 regular-season outings. As things currently stand, New Jersey currently has three goalies on their active roster - Jake Allen, Nico Daws and the newly-acquired Remi Poirier off waivers. It remains to be seen whether Rittich was placed on waivers as an act of roster gymnastics by New Jersey to scoop up Poirier, or if the team views the veteran as the No. 4 option in the organization. Regardless, there is a non-zero chance that Rittich is claimed off the wire, making the next 24 hours intriguing for the veteran netminder's future.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Concedes one goal in preseason opener Rittich allowed one goal on 24 shots during Sunday's 2-1 preseason win over the Islanders.

Impact Rittich defended the home crease against his former team during the Devils' preseason opener, and he performed admirably while playing the entire game. Across 30 regular-season appearances with the Islanders last year, he went 14-10-3 with a 2.76 GAA and .894 save percentage. He'll presumably compete with Jake Allen for work in the crease early in the 2026-27 regular season.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Devils react after 2-1 preseason win over Islanders

SEPTEMBER 20 • YOUTUBE

David Rittich 3rd Regulation Period Top Goalie Saves

SEPTEMBER 20 • YOUTUBE

NYI@NJD: Rittich scores PPG against David Rittich | New Jersey Devils David Rittich (NJD) scores power-play goal against David Rittich (NYI) to make it 0 - 1

SEPTEMBER 20 • NHL.COM

David Rittich 2nd Regulation Period Top Goalie Saves

SEPTEMBER 20 • YOUTUBE

NYI@NJD: Eiserman scores PPG against David Rittich | New York Islanders Cole Eiserman (NYI) scores power-play goal against David Rittich (NJD) to make it 1 - 1

SEPTEMBER 20 • NHL.COM

David Rittich 1st Regulation Period Top Goalie Saves

SEPTEMBER 20 • YOUTUBE

David Rittich scores a powerplay goal against the New York Islanders

SEPTEMBER 20 • YOUTUBE

Facing former team Sunday Rittich will start Sunday's preseason game against the Islanders, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

Impact For his debut with New Jersey, Rittich will have the chance to face the team he most recently suited up for - the New York Islanders. The 34-year-old netminder was a decent backup option in 2025-26, where he posted a 14-10-3 record, a 2.76 GAA and an .894 save percentage across 30 regular-season games for the Isles. Expect to see the veteran netminder battle for a larger role this preseason against Jake Allen.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Devils GM Sunny Mehta says he's comfortable with goaltending situation

New Jersey Devils general manager Sunny Mehta says he's comfortable with the team's goaltending position after trading Jacob Markstrom over the summer and handing the starting job...

SEPTEMBER 18 • Associated Press

New Jersey Devils sign winger Anthony Mantha to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract

The New Jersey Devils have signed winger Anthony Mantha to a two-year, $9.5 million contract

JULY 15 • Associated Press

Rittich Signs 1-Year Contract | RELEASE | New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils announced today that the team has signed goaltender David Rittich to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1,000,000. Th...

JULY 3 • NHL.COM

Joining New Jersey Rittich signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Devils on Thursday, per PuckPedia.

Impact Rittich had a 14-10-3 record, 2.76 GAA and .894 save percentage in 30 regular-season appearances with the Islanders in 2025-26. The 34-year-old netminder hasn't logged more than 34 games in a single regular season since 2019-20, but he might get a chance to do so with the Devils. New Jersey traded Jacob Markstrom (undisclosed) to Florida on Tuesday, which means Rittich is likely to open 2026-27 in a timeshare with Jake Allen. The 25-year-old Nico Daws might also be a factor, especially if he has a convincing training camp.

JULY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Gets little help in Tuesday's loss Rittich turned aside 19 shots in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Hurricanes.

Impact Goals by Nikolaj Ehlers in the first period and Mark Jankowski in the third, as well as a lack of offensive support, stuck Rittich with the loss in the Islanders' season finale. The 33-year-old netminder wraps up his first, and potentially his last, season on Long Island with a 14-10-3 record, a 2.76 GAA and an .894 save percentage. Rittich will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and shouldn't have trouble finding a landing spot with a team in need of an experienced No. 2.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Breakup Day: David Rittich | New York Islanders David Rittich addressed the media at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

APRIL 15 • NHL.COM

Jankowski's 3rd-period goal lifts Hurricanes past Islanders 2-1

Mark Jankowski scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, and the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders 2-1

APRIL 15 • Associated Press

Set to face Hurricanes Rittich is expected to protect the home net against Carolina on Tuesday, according to Luca Dallasta of the Islanders' official site.

Impact Rittich will make his first start since March 24 against Chicago, when he allowed three goals on 12 shots before being pulled after the first period. He has a 14-9-3 record this campaign with two shutouts, a 2.78 GAA and an .894 save percentage across 29 appearances. Carolina sits second in the league with 3.57 goals per game this season.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

What Position Did The Isles Play As Kids? | New York Islanders David Rittich a forward? Alex Romanov a goalie? The Islanders share the positions they played as youth hockey players.

APRIL 11 • NHL.COM

Needed in relief Monday Rittich gave up one goal on three shots after replacing Ilya Sorokin midway through the third period of Monday's 8-3 loss to the Penguins.

Impact It was a brutal night for the Islanders overall, and Rittich didn't escape unscathed after replacing Sorokin between the pipes with just over 12 minutes left. Rittich's last three outings have all been abbreviated -- two in relief, plus a March 24 start in which he got the hook himself after just one period, and through six appearances in March he's gone 2-1-0 with a rough 4.18 GAA and .862 save percentage. Despite that recent track record, he'll likely get the nod Tuesday in Buffalo as the Isles try to hang onto a playoff spot.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Mantha and the Penguins blitz the Islanders 8-3 to win a big game in the East playoff race

Anthony Mantha had two goals and an assist, Rickard Rakell scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied to defeat the New York Islanders 8-3 in a crucial game in the competitiv...

MARCH 31 • Associated Press

Gets hook in Tuesday's start Rittich gave up three goals on 12 shots before being replaced by Ilya Sorokin to begin the second period of Tuesday's 4-3 loss to Chicago.

Impact Anders Lee gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead just 49 seconds into the game, but Rittich was let down by his defense after that as he got beaten twice on clean breaks by Nick Lardis and Ilya Mikheyev before getting lifted at the intermission. Rittich at least avoided the loss, as it was Sorokin who allowed the eventual game-winner. Rittich has struggled during his five appearances in March, going 2-1-0 with a rough 4.13 GAA and .868 save percentage.

MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE

Lardis, Nazar lead Blackhawks past Islanders 4-3, Frondell gets assist in NHL debut

Anton Frondell had an assist in his NHL debut, Nick Lardis and Frank Nazar each had a goal and an assist and the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the New York Islanders 4-3

MARCH 25 • Associated Press

First off Tuesday Rittich is set to start at home against the Blackhawks on Tuesday, per Andrew Gross of Newsday.

Impact Rittich is 2-1-0 with a 3.60 GAA and an .883 save percentage over four appearances in March. The veteran netminder has a favorable matchup Tuesday against a Chicago team that is 13-15-6 on the road this season. Chicago has also generated 2.57 goals per game this season, which is the third-worst mark in the NHL.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Yields one goal in relief outing Rittich allowed a goal on four shots in relief of Ilya Sorokin in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Canadiens.

Impact Rittich played 8:11 during the third period, taking over after Sorokin gave up six goals. Rittich was responsible for the third goal of Cole Caufield's hat trick, but the 33-year-old netminder will avoid any damage on his record. For the season, Rittich is 14-9-3 with a 2.69 GAA and an .898 save percentage over 27 appearances. The Islanders host the Blue Jackets on Sunday, and it's not yet clear if head coach Patrick Roy will go back to Sorokin or give Rittich a chance in that contest.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

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Devils GM Sunny Mehta says he's comfortable with goaltending situation

New Jersey Devils sign winger Anthony Mantha to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract

Jankowski's 3rd-period goal lifts Hurricanes past Islanders 2-1

Anthony Mantha and the Penguins blitz the Islanders 8-3 to win a big game in the East playoff race

Lardis, Nazar lead Blackhawks past Islanders 4-3, Frondell gets assist in NHL debut