Predators GM David Poile announced today that the club has signed goaltender Pekka Rinne to a seven-year, $49M deal, the largest in franchise history. "Today's signing is further evidence of our ownership's commitment to keeping our core intact," Poile said. "This is the first step of a process designed to retain our key players and leaders. Pekka has grown with our franchise, just recently established our franchise record for career shutouts and is now recognized as one of the game's elite players. We're thrilled to know that he will be backstopping our franchise for several years to come." Rinne, who is celebrating his 29th birthday today, finished second in voting for the 2011 Vezina Trophy and fourth in voting for the 2011 Hart Trophy. Rinne ranked second among NHL netminders in save percentage (.930), third in goals-against average (2.12) and tied for sixth in shutouts (6) in 2010-11, with the save percentage and goals-against average numbers setting franchise records. Already in 2011-12, he has recorded his 21st and 22nd shutouts, moving into first on the franchise's all-time list and giving him the most whitewashes in the League since 2008-09.