Not to sure why people feel that Irving 'got the shaft' here.
Flames drafted Irving in the first round. He was a legit prospect. Flames gave him a lots and lots of starts in Abby. They gave him a goalie coach. There is also a sports psychologist at his disposal. Under 2 different head coaches, and up against 4 career AHL goalies during his tenure, the only thing he has been consistent with is losing his starter position. Flames gave Irving loads of opportunity to shine - including this time in the NHL which he did NOT earn.
Why is everyone so quick to say Taylor sucks? Or that he is not an NHL calibre goalie? He has not only been a consistently good goalie in the AHL, but he has been consistently BETTER than Irving.
Will Taylor come up and be the saviour? Well, I personally don't think so, but he COULD be just a steady goalie - just make the saves he is supposed to make, and give the team some confidence back there. Who knows how good he will do?
Remember when the Flames went through that HORRIBLE year with so many goalies? They went through one after another. What was it? 7? Finally, out of nowhere, comes Brathwaite. ANYONE who said they saw Freddie finally being a competent goalie was a complete liar - or a fool. But he came in, and he was steady. Not spectacular, but steady.
I just shake my head at why this fanbase feels Taylor is 'junk' before he even has played a game. Everyone who follows the Heat regularly knows that Taylor has been better - and CONSISTENT!
Do you really buy that load of garbage that Irving said: "I find the NHL easier than the AHL." Show me one competent goalie who did better in the NHL than the AHL.
Taylor may indeed 'suck' when he comes up. But NOBODY - including myself - will really know that until he gets a couple of games in. MacDonald came in as a backup - his first game in Calgary at home - and looked less 'shaky' than Irving, but didn't quite hold the fort either. Give him a couple more games and see what he does before judging him as incompetent.
Why so many posters are so determined to continue starting Irving is surprising. He was not 'mismanaged'. He just didn't develop into a good goalie. That is why the Flames drafted Brossoit, Ortio, Gilles and made the trade last year for Ramo. All their eggs weren't in one basket. So the Flames are in a 'mess' because of it? They are a joke of a franchise because their is no 'plan' for Kipper's future replacement? Looks like to me, the Flames have a fairly strong prospect pool of goalies. Will they all work out? No - just like Irving didn't work out.
What I find the most laughable in this thread is how the same posters that wish the Flames 'tank' and do an aggressive rebuild are also some of the same ones crapping all over the Flames for seeing what they have in Taylor (and assuming Taylor is going to suck). Aren't you guys being a bit hypocritical with what you want? You want a top 5 pick? Well, having a crappy goalie gets you there faster. Pick a side already, and stick to it instead of flip-flopping.
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