  Reports out of Finland have the Toronto Maple Leafs adding Jussi Rynnas to their collection of goaltenders. (Wikimedia) |
BOSTON -- Jussi Rynnas has been added to the Maple Leafs' growing goaltending stable.
The Leafs haven't made it official, but Finnish web sites are reporting a deal with the 6-foot-5, 22-year-old likely joining the AHL Toronto Marlies next season.
General manager Brian Burke and right-hand man David Nonis made a secretive trip to Finland a couple of weeks ago, trying to scoop Rynnas away from at least five NHL teams who were in the hunt, led by the Dallas Stars.
Burke also went to Montreal with club goalie guru Francois Allaire to make an impression on Rynnas during his tour of teams.
Rynnas is not comparable right now to Swede Jonas Gustavsson, but had a record 14-13-1 with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage, for what was considered a poor Assat Pori club team in Finland.
"He's the same age as me, a big guy and I know a lot of NHL teams wanted him," said Boston goalie Tuukka Rask on Wednesday. "It will be great to have another Finn over here."
Rynnas could be worked in for a couple of years as Jean-Sebastien Giguere gets closer to the end of his career.
lance.hornby@sunmedia.ca
