The Detroit Red Wings have added some international talent to their prospect pool, signing Slovakian goaltender Patrik Rybar to a one-year entry-level contract. Rybar has spent the last two seasons playing in the Czech Republic, and recently represented Solovakia at the Olympics and IIHF World Championship.
Rybar, 24, was never drafted by an NHL team but has turned in nothing but outstanding appearances in his time as a professional. At the highest level in the Czech Republic, Rybar has posted .922 and .932 save percentages in the last two years, and held his own in the recent international tournament. He didn’t get into the crease at the Olympics, but even the experience of being there was probably beneficial to his long-term development.
Detroit doesn’t have a succession plan in place for their goaltending situation, as Petr Mrazek never took the net from Jimmy Howard and was eventually traded off this season. Howard, now 34, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, the same designation Jared Coreau will receive this year. No one is expecting Rybar to step in and become the future for Detroit right away, but he is an extremely low-risk addition that could strengthen the position for them down the road. There is more work to do for the Red Wings, but adding a top international goaltender on a short-term deal is never a bad option.
Good signing. Hopefully his great numbers translate to AHL/NHL.