One of the top European free agents this year is Finnish goalkeeper, Jussi Rynnas. Though he’s not rated as high as last year’s free agent goalie, Jonas Gustavsson, he still drawing plenty of interest. Last season Rynnas posted a 14-13-1 record, with a 2.50 GAA, and .929SV%. The 6-foot-5, 22-year-old goalie, has an outside shot being a NHL backup next season, but would most likely start the season in the minors. Dallas is still considered to be the front runner.
April 21st:
5:30 PM: Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Jussi Rynnas’s agent said today that he’ll be signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rynnas’s agent, Allain Roy, has notified the Stars, Oilers, Red Wings, and others, that he’ll be negotiating a deal that will be finalized over the next 48 hours with the Leafs. Rynnas will get the opportunity to work with Francois Allair and compete with James Reimer for playing time with the AHL Toronto Marlies. The Finnish elite league isn’t all the strong, but the Leafs feel he was the top goalie prospect on the market.
8:30 am: Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Word out of Toronto is that Jussi Rynnas could be making a decision on where he might play next season in the next couple days. Dallas is still thought to be the front runner ahead of Anaheim, Edmonton, Montreal, Philadelphia and Toronto.
April 16th: Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke and No.2, Dave Nonis, snuck of out Toronto and headed to Helsinki, Finland to meet up with Jussi Rynnas. On Rynnas’s trip through potential cities (Edmonton, Dallas, Anaheim, Philadelphia and Montreal), Burke brought along goalie coach Francois Allaire to a Montreal visit, to further the convincing. The Leafs thinking would be to have Rynnas play for the AHL Toronto Marlies for at least next season.
April 7th: Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Finnish free agent goalie Jussi Rynnas has already met with Dallas and talked to Edmonton’s assistant GM on Saturday. Rynnas has meetings with Anaheim, Philadelphia, and Montreal scheduled.
April 3rd: Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Jussi Rynnas was wined and dined by the Dallas Stars Thursday. He has other visits scheduled. Rynnas has said he’s open to playing in the minors if he can’t win a starting or backup position. The Stars think Rynnas will make a decision within 3 weeks.