I am assuming that Irving is getting a fair shake. The problem with Irving is his inconsistency season-to-season. Even last year during the playoffs, Taylor came in and took over the starting job - though one can argue that Irving had family matters on his mind after just having a baby.
I don't think what the Flames are doing with him is 'bad' or 'wrong'. They are just not putting all their eggs in one basket. The guy that ends up clearly head and shoulders over everyone else will get the backup job with Calgary. Everyone has the same chance. If anything, you could argue that Irving is really favored as he is a 1st round draft choice, and that the Flames know fans seem to prefer 'home-grown' drafted players.
I am not too worried about goaltending. Irving, Brossoit, Taylor, Ramo, Gilles, and a nice new surprise in Brust just makes me think that instead of just 'forcing' someone to take over, they all have to prove that they deserve it. I don't think we will have another Trevor Kidd scenario where the Flames spend a high draft pick on a goalie, and just ride him win or lose. All these options force them to become better.
As for Irving not getting the start and 'wasting' by not dressing, there is still really no better option for him at this point. Tough to go to Europe during the lockout with so much available talent, tough to get a starter's job in the AHL - tough to get a starter's job everywhere. At least he is regularly practicing with a pro team, and he will get some games in regardless of how good Brust and Taylor are doing. He is limited to 50 games I believe (if the lockout lasts and he gets another PTO), so no point in using him as much as possible.
The options in net are a great thing to have for the Flames. Just giving a goalie more starts over another just because he is a 1st round draft pick for the organization just shows that meritocracy is a lie. Irving will get his starts, and it is 100% up to him how many starts he gets, and how high he ends up climbing on the Flames' depth charts.
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