Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
The Raymond scratchings with Setoguchi and McGrattan in the AHL have certainly proved the Flames "never given, always earned" bumper sticker is something they take very seriously.
Add in the fact that Ortio is basically assured an NHL spot in October anyway, and I could see the team stepping up efforts to make room for him right now if he keeps on playing well.
The world has this "Flames be carried by their goaltenders" feel from October and that Hiller stoning in Chicago, but the bottom line is the Flames have had very average goaltending thus far (ranked 21st). So if they think they can get a 3% save percentage boost from Ortio, when you're 2 points out of a playoff spot you'd better go with it.
|
The Hiller/Ramo battle at the beginning of the season is what spurred this team into the position it was a month ago (80%+ odds of being in the playoffs). Each game they had to out-do each other, and as a result they kept us in a lot of games we had no business going on to win. As Hiller emerged as the go-to guy I fear they may have both gotten a bit complacent.
If throwing Ortio into the ring is going to light a fire under the other two to fight for their jobs, then let's keep Ortio around for awhile. I really don't mind having 3 NHL calibre goalies and wouldn't trade any of them unless the return was significant.