Quote:
Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef
Kiprusoff is also an example of why we can't give up on Irving either. Kipper didn't make his NHL debut until he was 25, a season where he only saw 5 games and he never became an NHL starter until he was 28 and traded to Calgary. Irving made his NHL debut at a younger age (2 years younger) and also put up a higher save percentage. It simply too early to give up him.
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Brossoit, Ortio, Gillies - 3 goalies with a lot of potential.
Taylor and Brust come in - 2 "AHL Journeymen" - and they at least look as effective as Irving in net - and Taylor is not much older at all than Irving if memory serves.
At the end of the day, it is not poor asset management if Irving leaves. It isn't 'misusing' a prospect either. Irving has been given LOADS of time to 'establish' himself as a future NHL starter. He goes through periods where he definitely shows that, but he also goes through periods of inconsistencies. Yes, he is young, and being inconsistent is part of the 'growing pains' with goalies. However, at some point, he has to get there. How long do you wait?
I really believe this is his last 'opportunity' to be in a position to really showcase himself as a capable NHL starter of the future. He will leave as a free agent after this season, and either go play in Europe for a year or two, or find another NHL team short on goalie prospects and willing to either use him as a backup (doubtful with the amount of experience he has) or be the starter of their AHL franchise. I am not sure how easy that will be for him. I have no idea what his trade value would be like at the moment, and really depends on how many teams are really short on goalie prospects.
To put it into perspective, which goalie is tearing up the AHL right now? 0.949 sv%. 1.48 goals against.
Curtis 'McBackup'. He may end up being a pretty decent goalie at the NHL level. However, nobody was 'crying' when the Flames decided to part ways with him.
At some point, either a goalie takes charge and grabs that spot, or he doesn't. If Irving is going to be the Flames' future starter, he will either grab it this season (starting in the AHL), or he won't and move on to try his luck elsewhere. He will never get as good of a 'chance' on another team, however, as the Flames are more willing to ride out their 1st round pick + development years in trying to get him there. At the end, however, it is 100% up to Irving. He either is, or he isn't. He either does it, or he doesn't. He either allows Taylor to surpass him, or he relegates Taylor into backup role in the AHL for now. It is 100% on Irving at this point, and this is probably his last season in the Flames' org if he doesn't.