Joey MacDonald Our New #1

[flamesfan55]

With all of the starts MacDonald is getting do you think there trying to see if he can handle the load of a #1?

I know Kipper is playing awful but he is still our #1. Especially if this is kippers last year I would have thought they would play Kipper down the strech as it could be his last couple games in the NHL.

Am I reading to much into this?

[Northendzone]

i think at this piont it is hard to read a lot into the goaltending tea leaves......

[TheGrimm]

I don't think he's a #1 goalie and personally I wouldn't even keep him as a backup due to his age and upside.

We need to evaluate our guys next year and having him on the roster just inhibits us from getting it done.

He's been great though, and I think he'll have no problems finding a job.

[Vulcan]

I think we should call up Irving.

[Yakbutter]

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

I don't think he's a #1 goalie and personally I wouldn't even keep him as a backup due to his age and upside.

We need to evaluate our guys next year and having him on the roster just inhibits us from getting it done.

He's been great though, and I think he'll have no problems finding a job.

lol, he's 33 years old, and there not any better options.

[Rapidfire999]

Better option: Recall Irving and start losing!

[TheGrimm]

Originally Posted by Yakbutter

lol, he's 33 years old, and there not any better options.

We have lots of options, it's time to find out if any of them are better.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Rapidfire999

Better option: Recall Irving and start losing!

Leave the "I like losing" garbage for the thread dedicated to it.


As to the topic, I think they said Kiprusoff is nursing some "bumps and bruises". I'd expect Kipper starts the last two home games though, since it may be his swan song.

[ken0042]

I believe MacDonald is a UFA at the end of the year. With Kipper potentially retiring we need to see what MacDonald can do before deciding to let him walk or making him an offer.

As much as I would like to see Kipper as much as possible (especially if he is done this year)- it is in the team's best interest to see what MacDonald can do.

[Erick Estrada]

First of all I'm under the assumption that Kipper is done after this season.

As for MacDonald he's shown that he's capable of backstopping a young team that makes multiple defensive mistakes night in night out. I believe he should be brought back as an insurance policy next season as he's kept this team competitive and you need that in an 82 game season. Feaster's two European guys have a lot to prove and it's a recipe for disaster not to have a veteran goaltender as I'm not sold on any other goaltender in the organization at present time. If Ramo tears it up next season that would be great but until that happens you need a competent guy that's proven.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

First of all I'm under the assumption that Kipper is done after this season.

As for MacDonald he's shown that he's capable of backstopping a young team that makes multiple defensive mistakes night in night out. I believe he should be brought back as an insurance policy next season as he's kept this team competitive and you need that in an 82 game season. Feaster's two European guys have a lot to prove and it's a recipe for disaster not to have a veteran goaltender as I'm not sold on any other goaltender in the organization at present time. If Ramo tears it up next season that would be great but until that happens you need a competent guy that's proven.

Definitely would be the smart idea to have MacDonald as a comfort net. Seeing as a lot of us were ready to put Irving in the same situation last year, almost nothing should be taken as guaranteed with goaltending.

[Hair bleach and Vodka]

Joey Mac can stick around. I hope we sign him to a 3 yr deal. He's shown more than enough to keep him here.

[Wolven]

I'm still hopeful that the news of Kipper's retirement at the end of this season is as accurate as Iginla's trade to the Bruins. Even if he has lost a step, I think having him with the Flames for this rebuild will accelerate the transformation of the team and give us a chance to win games that a normal goalie would not be able to steal.

If Kipper does retire, I would rather go with the Ramo/Berra combo next year. Its nothing against MacDonald at all but both of these guys are 26 and if there is ever going to be a time to do a full-on goaltending audition it is going to be next season when the rest of the team is rebuilding as well.

That way we either find out if one or both of these guys are the real deal or we are looking at acquiring another top 3 draft pick (get another Reinhart!), or maybe even both. At the very least I would hope that these Euro-goalies will be able to settle down and play to MacDonald's level. If not then I would look at bringing up Taylor or giving Irving a chance while the Flames are not in Win-Now mode.

With all of the other (younger) options I don't really see an upside to keeping MacDonald for the rebuild.

[Badgers Nose]

I'd like to see the team play some of it's kids in net, but understand they have to at least try to win some games.

[Dion]

I think Mac will be back if only to mentor one of Euro goalies.

[Bertuzzied]

Kipper isn't done. He will lead us to the playoffs next year.

[Ozy_Flame]

Mac has been the Flames best pickup this year. He's playing beyond his abilities and handling the media scrutiny of a failing team like a champ.

And whoever says he's too old, that's baloney. Goalies don't hit their best until their late twenties, and than can extend up until the mid-thirties. For Joey Mac's talent level, he's doing just fine.

I have confidence in him playing out the rest of the season as a #1. Just remember to give Kipper one more home start before he calls it quits.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Kipper isn't done. He will lead us to the playoffs next year.

I don't know if Kipper has the drive to be a NHL goalie anymore. He gets up for the odd game but mostly he doesn't look good. I wouldn't mind if he comes to camp next season and see if he wants to continue but I wouldn't count on him to stay in our plans.

I think he's a real honest guy and will know when he can live up to the commitment to play for the Flames or not. This could be his swan song, so everyone be sure to give him extra cheers when he plays.

[#-3]

I am also under the assumption that KIpper is done with the Flames after this season, I think 75% retire, 24% different team, 1% still with the Flames.

To me McDonald has shown enough that he should be the high workload backup while we are searching for a new starter.

And as has been mentioned already, after Abbotsford is done I would not mind Irving getting 2 of the final 6 games. Give him one last chance to prove he is worth qualifying.

[mac_82]

Maher implied on the Fan this morning that Kipper has some bumps and bruises that are keeping him from playing. If we were actually playing meaningful games, Kipper would be in net.