Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
I am getting really sick of this argument.
Yes, Ortio hasn't done anything this season to steal the job from a decent goalie.
But we don't have a decent goalie.
Ramo was crap, but was given a bunch of games to work his way out of it and regain his confidence. This is the right way to deal with a struggling goalie, and it worked.
Hiller has struggled and was given ice-time to work it out. He continued to struggle but was given more time. With Ramo hurt, he has been handed the #1 job. He has been given plenty of chances but has completely failed.
Ortio has been poor this season, yes. But he has NOT been given an opportunity to work it out. He showed last year that he is capable of playing at this level. Sometimes you have to give players an opportunity. The fact that Hartley STILL isn't, despite Hiller's play, is now entering spite territory.
Hiller is a 32 year old UFA. Ortio is a prospect.
Yes, Hartley's first job is to win games. But he also has a responsibility as a member of the organization to do what is right for the team long term. Developing young players is part of a coach's job - especially a coach of a rebuilding team.
We are way past 'Ortio hasn't earned it either' at this point. The most sensible strategy for the organization at this point, is to give Ortio a series of games and see if he can regain his confidence and run with it.
If he can, the organization wins. If he can't, they are even, and at least they can make a decision on him moving forward.
But continuing to play Hiller now is destroying team confidence, and burying Ortio.
|
I disagree with this. If Ortio still needs coaches to develop him he shouldn't be in the NHL. The NHL is not a development league. If players aren't able to adapt themselves (such as Monahan, Bennett, Gaudreau) then they should be sent to the AHL where the entire purpose of that league is development. Ortio not playing is a reflection of Ortio, not coaching.