Predators sign G Rinne

Jun 26, 2007 - 2:16 AM NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Nashville Predators have high expectations for Pekka Rinne. He how has two years in which to meet them.

Penciled in as the team's backup goaltender next season, Rinne was signed to a two-year contract by the Predators on Monday.

The first year of the contract is a two-way deal, meaning Rinne will make $495,000 at the NHL level and $90,000 in the American Hockey League in 2007-08. The following season, the 24-year-old will receive $550,000.

Last season, Rinne posted a 15-7-6 record with three shutouts and a 2.34 goals-against average with Milwaukee of the AHL after shoulder surgery shelved him for the first half of the campaign. The 6-5 Finn made his NHL debut in 2005-06, going 1-1-0 in two games.

Selected in the eighth round of the 2004 draft, Rinne will be given the chance to serve as the backup to Chris Mason, whose breakthrough season in 2006-07 allowed the Predators to trade Tomas Vokoun to the Florida Panthers on Friday.