Poile believes in Rinne's ability to lead Preds: 'I don't think it's over'

General manager David Poile doesn't believe Pekka Rinne's time as a reliable goalie for the Nashville Predators is coming to an end with the 2019-20 season in limbo.

"We know time catches up to all of us, especially in an athlete's life," Poile said, according to The Tennessean's Paul Skrbina. "He's been playing very well. He's had that odd game that hasn’t been so good. I'm predicting if we make the playoffs this year that Pekka's going to win some big games down the stretch. So I don't think it's over."

Rinne, 37, has long been a Predators icon after Poile and Co. selected him in the eighth round of the 2004 NHL Draft. He's the franchise's leading goaltender in games played, wins, playoff victories, and shutouts.

But Rinne struggled at times this season. He posted an 18-14-4 record before the NHL suspended play, and his 3.17 goals-against average and 0.895 save percentage were on pace to be career worsts.

Young goalie Juuse Saros, meanwhile, slowly began to take the reigns in net. Saros started 34 games before the hiatus, while Rinne started 35. Poile acknowledged the difficulties such a change can pose.

"When it happens, I'm sure that it's hardest on him. It's probably hard on our fans," Poile said. "They think the world of Pekka and think he's going to be that brick wall every night and he's going to make the difference every night, because for 10 or 12 years he's been the difference every night."

Rinne ranks third in the league in games started and second in wins since becoming a starter in 2008. The Finnish netminder's current contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.