They are definitely hoping rittich looks amazing this year because best case scenario is that rittich makes that leap to nhl starter and next years goalie tandem is rittich starter gillies backup. if rittich doenst make that progression then the flames will be hard pressed to find a starter next year and rittich will likely get lost to waivers
It's cheap and riskless but... I dunno. Rittich's numbers werent that food last year and I dont think he's going to be much really.
in all likelihood you are correct. however his numbers only fell when smith got hurt and the flames fell apart in front of him. when he was in the back up role he looked really good. the big question is if he can make that jump to the starter position. which is very unlikely but it could happen.
id say like 80% chance flames either resign smith next season or try to trade for a true NHL starter. which might be expensive