Observations:

December 2014 – The Stars have called up Jussi Rynnas as the backup for Kari Lehtonen. Dallas also waived Anders Lindback to make room for Rynnas so the call up is likely to be long term as Rynnas would also have to clear waivers in order to be sent back to Cedar Park. Rynnas appeared in 10 games for the Texas Stars posting a record of 5-1-4, and a goals-against average of 2.58 and a .913 save percentage. The Texas Stars have struggled defensively just like the big club so Rynnas will be seeing somewhat familiar situations in front of him, just against much more talented opponents. Rex Doty

May 2013 – Management continued to show little interest in the effective use of Rynnas for the second half of the season. He finished with a respectable 10-9-1 record and a 2.63 GAA and .908 SV%. He was passed up for opportunity when the team signed Drew MacIntyre and quickly made the veteran the ‘go to’ guy. He did find himself an emergency recall and played in a relief game for the Leafs in which he stopped all of the limited shots taken on him. Rynnas finished the season with another minor injury, believe to be a shoulder/upper body type, he might be available for use in the playoffs if needed as he is still making appearances in the rink on game nights. It looks as if he is done in Toronto, in a minor discussion with him, he seemed reluctant to discuss next season, but it may also have been miscommunication or interpretation as his English speaking is still a little rough. Not long after, a report surfaced that he may be signing a contract with Karpat of the Finnish Elite League for next season. If NHL teams still show interest in him and he is signed to play in the AHL once again, fantasy managers should too take notice of where he goes and what upside he could have. Jason Banks

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December 2012 – Rynnas is having an excellent 2012-13 season in the crease for the Toronto Marlies. In December he posted his seventh AHL shutout, becoming the Marlies’ all-time leader. Rynnas is kind of a forgotten man in the Leafs organization as most fanfare has been on James Reimer and Ben Scrivens. He has great size, plays at the top of his crease, eating shooters’ angles. He has great thrust ability with strong legs and has a compete level that might be bigger than his frame. He has a rare ability to steal games that the team has no business being in. Rynnas brings composure in the crease that the defensemen feed off. Scrivens and Reimer always have the defense on edge as they are prone to misplays with the puck, inconsistent puck blocking and movements, whereas the defense seems much more smooth and content to play around Rynnas. There are warning signs over durability and organizational confidence in him. He seems to suffer many small nagging lower body injuries and has only been able/given the ability to be the everyday starter for only two months at the start of his AHL career. With Scrivens being extremely inconsistent, Rynnas may create an opportunity to surpass him on the depth chart while giving himself a chance at the opening as the Leafs’ backup when the NHL resumes. With poolies always looking at goalies moving forward, the current Leaf situation should be watched closely. Rynnas has real talent, but that doesn’t seem to earn him favor in management’s eyes, yet.

Fantasy Outlook: C

With Dallas’ issues on defense expectations should be kept in check for those games Rynnas does see action. With those issues his value is extremely limited at the moment and only then in deep leagues with desperate owners until the Stars prove they can right the ship.

Footage:

A ’glove-ly’ save with the ‘leather monster’ via Jussi Rynnas.

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Fantasy Prospects Report Notes (Any FPR’s released in the last 18 months will not be listed here):

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Jussi Rynnas statistics courtesy of Elite Prospects