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Old 03-02-2016, 12:30 PM   #132
Calgary4LIfe
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM View Post
In fact, Ortio may want to play less than 7 games - I understand if he plays more than that he's an RFA, but less than that and he's a UFA.

Now, if the Flames don't care, then it doesn't matter, but if they at least want to control him and have the ability to move him for, say, a 6th rounder, they should get him his minimum games.
I would think at this point, Ortio wants to get in as many games as possible. He needs to show better than he has been, and with consistency. If not, I just can't really see a team signing him as a UFA.

His best chance to stay in the NHL is actually still with the Flames. If the Flames decide not to re-sign him, he becomes a UFA anyways. I can't think of another team off the top of my head that has an easier road for an aspiring young goalie to get a crack at being an NHL starter.

If Calgary doesn't offer him a contract - whether it is as an RFA or UFA, then I don't really see another team giving him a one-way at least and giving him NHL time next season. He isn't guaranteed that here - and a lot could happen during the off-season for the Flames to shore-up that area - but Calgary is by far his best chance at this point.

Edit: I would guess that the Flames will choose between one of Ramo or Ortio as a backup for next season, and try to acquire another goalie. Barring a crazy performance by Backstrom for the remainder of the season, I do think that at the very least, the backup role is between Ramo and Ortio, with a UFA/trade being the starter. I have no idea how Poulin figures into that (if at all - people are speculating that with a past injury before Calgary acquired him, his left-right mobility is compromised substantially). My guess is that if they get a younger goalie to start in net for them, perhaps Ramo gets retained. If it is an older guy, they retain Ortio. I have no idea to be honest how this plays out.

Last edited by Calgary4LIfe; 03-02-2016 at 12:35 PM.
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