Originally Posted by HartAttack
This might not be a popular post, but my opinion is that in general, Kipper's play has been fading over the past 3 or 4 seasons and the Flames DO NOT NEED HIM. Just look at his SV% or GAA in comparison to other goalies over that timeframe. It has been mediocre, at best. People always point out all of the amazing saves he's made over his career. He over commits, lays on his belly a lot, and puts himself in a position where he has to make the acrobatic save, just to be an average goaltender (stats wise)! Granted there are some brilliant saves that only Kipper could make, but still the same...
Most people here in Calgary have the blinders on when it comes to Kipper, they still think that he's this unbeatable machine/man hybrid that stopped pucks for us back in 2004-2007. He's not! My theory is, if we had anything better than average goaltending, this team would be in the top 4 of the Western Conference, every year.
So, is it a coincedence that the top teams in the league just happen to have the best goaltenders (stats wise)? Or, do the players make the goalie that much better? Relating this back to Kipper, would the Flames be any better with Kipper in net, versus an average Joey MacDonald? NO, I don't think they would.
And, when you really look at the depth Calgary has in net (Taylor, Brust, Irving), could any or all 3 of these guys end up starting goaltenders in the NHL? I think yes. If they are given a legitimate opportunity, meaning they have more than 1 or 2 games to prove they're worth their salt, or they're sent down to the farm...
Just look at the history of goaltenders. How did Craig Anderson become an above average starting goalie? What about Mike Smith or Ray Emery? These were back-up goalies, sometimes 3rd stringers, who couldn't cut it with the very limited opportunity they were given. And look at these guys are among the top of NHL goaltenders today (at least in the top 10-15).
Anyway, when Kipper comes back I hope he plays well. But we do not NEED him to make the playoffs; we need above average goaltending, which might not be coming from any of the 2 goalies we appear to be riding into the sunset (Kipper/MacDonald).
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