Quote:
Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen
Outside of MacDonald you've listed a bunch of unproven goalies. And the only thing MacDonald has proven is he isn't a starter. I understand it's a rebuild and will take some time but I don't understand why stability in net is a bad thing. If you can get a starter (and I'm not saying that's Bryzgalov), why not take it? Takes a lot of pressure off of the young unproven goalies and more importantly the rest of the team. Otherwise the trial by fire that's going to take place is more reminiscent of our neighbours up north than any other team.
And we've already had the argument about having a full cupboard of goalies before when Irving and Keetley were fighting for goalie of the future status with McElhinney, Lalande, and Krahn in the system as well!
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MacDonald is the kind of guy that will take some pressure off a young goalie - this is why the Flames re-signed him. He is a capable back-up, and by all accounts, is the type of guy you want in the room and as a backup.
Flames will probably end up drafting another goalie at some point this draft. Wouldn't be a terrible idea (depending on how high, of course). You are right - nobody is 'proven' yet, but there are a lot of eggs at varying levels of experience and age. There is really no need this year to go out and sign a veteran starter, and there is especially no need to go out and trade for one.
The Flames' window will not be open for at least 2 years. Possibly 3-5. There is time to figure out the goaltending situation. None of the goalies available this off-season are not without their question marks (Bernier seems like a future stud - but there are question marks as to whether he will really be a great starter or not since he played behind a very stingy LA defence, Miller and Bryz have both been rumored to be 'bad dressing room' guys and have had up and down seasons, etc).
Everyone realizes the importance of having great goaltending. The window for that is not here, however. Flames have 2 years to sort out their goaltending I would say, and it gives them enough time to see if Ramo, Berra and probably Ortio have what it takes. Perhaps by then they will have a good read on Brossoit as well, seeing as he is turning pro. If they all fail, that leaves them with Gillies and whomever else the Flames end up drafting this year and/or next year. Gives them time to pro-scout other leagues and to take advantage of any other opportunities that may come from different organizations.
It would be a terrible waste to not take this season at least to see what the current possibilities they already have are - regardless if assets are used or not. I expect both Ramo and Berra will be given long looks (and perhaps even Ortio, if he is doing well on the Heat) to see what they have. One of them good be the next Fasth, or they could all be the next Karlsson. I don't think any of us at this time can say definitively one way or the other. Until the Flames get a good look at them, best to just stay the course and concentrate assets and contracts towards plugging other holes in the organization, including signing veterans to both mentor the youth and to maybe provide a bit of a return on deadline deals.
Just my thoughts anyways.