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Calgary4LIfe · 02-13-2013, 11:38 PM

The good:
Irving is quick!

The Bad:
Positionally not strong
Bobbles the puck way too much (how many shots squeak through him?)
Inconsistent over the last 4 years (he is young, however).
Terrible rebound control

He is still a young goalie. He shows flashes of near brilliance, followed by shakiness.

I look at Irving in this way:

There is a possibility that he could one day be a starter in the NHL. He may develop into one. However, he may never develop into one. In my opinion, the Flames have always been patient with his development (much more than any other goalie I can think of that they drafted). How much more patience should they show Irving - keeping in mind they have Ramo, Brossoit and Ortio in the system that could very well become much better (or never develop at all)?

I really wanted Irving to succeed last year. I thought last year would be his 'big showing', but then he had a bit of a let-down. Say what you will during the lockout, but 2 AHL career goalies passed him. This has been a constant theme with Irving - having lesser ceiling goalies pass him.

Can Irving still become an outstanding goalie in this league? Well, Tim Thomas did it. Giguere was not very well thought of from the Flames' organization, and went on to prove himself somewhere else. However, how long does an organization wait and invest in a prospect before that prospect proves himself? When should an organization cut bait?

Flames are in a predicament. They have an excellent prospect in Brossoit turning pro next year. They have what appears to be a solid goalie coming to the NHL next year. They have Ortio who probably needs at least another year of seasoning on the Heat (probably more) but who really does have lots of upside and who the Flames SHOULD be trying to further develop. Do the Flames keep Irving, or do they cut bait and turn their attention to other assets to develop?

Irving isn't HORRIBLE. He definitely has moments of brilliance out there. You have to really hate him personally if you can't admit that. However, you have to also be totally in love with him not to see he still has much more developing to do (and no guarantees that he will EVER develop enough to be any more than a below average backup even). If the Flames had no other choices, the answer would be very easy - invest in Irving for another couple of years. What is the right answer when you look at who else the Flames have in their stables (not even counting Gillies, who could just stay in the NCAA for the next 3.5 years) is the real question.

02-13-2013, 11:38 PM	#10
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	The good: Irving is quick! The Bad: Positionally not strong Bobbles the puck way too much (how many shots squeak through him?) Inconsistent over the last 4 years (he is young, however). Terrible rebound control He is still a young goalie. He shows flashes of near brilliance, followed by shakiness. I look at Irving in this way: There is a possibility that he could one day be a starter in the NHL. He may develop into one. However, he may never develop into one. In my opinion, the Flames have always been patient with his development (much more than any other goalie I can think of that they drafted). How much more patience should they show Irving - keeping in mind they have Ramo, Brossoit and Ortio in the system that could very well become much better (or never develop at all)? I really wanted Irving to succeed last year. I thought last year would be his 'big showing', but then he had a bit of a let-down. Say what you will during the lockout, but 2 AHL career goalies passed him. This has been a constant theme with Irving - having lesser ceiling goalies pass him. Can Irving still become an outstanding goalie in this league? Well, Tim Thomas did it. Giguere was not very well thought of from the Flames' organization, and went on to prove himself somewhere else. However, how long does an organization wait and invest in a prospect before that prospect proves himself? When should an organization cut bait? Flames are in a predicament. They have an excellent prospect in Brossoit turning pro next year. They have what appears to be a solid goalie coming to the NHL next year. They have Ortio who probably needs at least another year of seasoning on the Heat (probably more) but who really does have lots of upside and who the Flames SHOULD be trying to further develop. Do the Flames keep Irving, or do they cut bait and turn their attention to other assets to develop? Irving isn't HORRIBLE. He definitely has moments of brilliance out there. You have to really hate him personally if you can't admit that. However, you have to also be totally in love with him not to see he still has much more developing to do (and no guarantees that he will EVER develop enough to be any more than a below average backup even). If the Flames had no other choices, the answer would be very easy - invest in Irving for another couple of years. What is the right answer when you look at who else the Flames have in their stables (not even counting Gillies, who could just stay in the NCAA for the next 3.5 years) is the real question.