I'm very conflicted on Hiller.
On one hand, I understand those who are angry with his performance and disappointed with his interviews (and I've definitely thrown out the 'don't let the door hit you' comment at a certain smooth-skating defenseman's exoit), but on the other hand I can see EE's point of view in the sense that goaltending is the most important position; I tend to sympathize with them above any other role.
Goaltenders are a special breed and can be a little fragile. They get too much of the blame when things go south, and are often lumped in with the defense when things go well. They've got the most important job and have a ton on their plate as it is, which is part of the reason why you never make them captain (right, 'Nucks?).
I'm not sure the 3-headed monster received enough criticism and I believe that's a huge reason for the poor goaltending performances, and set the tone for the rest of the season.
Take these comments from Hiller:
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Ramo’s departure does bring about some much-needed clarity.
“It shows they believe in me and want me to be the guy right now — it might be different in a few days, few weeks, whatever,” said Hilller. “It’s definitely a little easier here — we at least know for the next few days or weeks that me and Orts are the guys here. The table is set a little more clear, I guess. We know what’s going on.
“I think in practice it’s easier — you get your own net and can focus on getting your work done — because you don’t have to worry about switching … not knowing what’s going on (or) what’s going on the next day or what’s going to happen.”
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“With all the stuff not going our way right now, (three goalies in camp) was something else to worry about.”
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http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hock...ash-of-clarity
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“You have to kind of get confident in your game again, every time you’re out there,” Hiller said after Sunday's session. “If you play more games in a row, you kind of go out there and still feel confident from the game before. If a game doesn’t go that well, it normally gives you not too much time to think about so you can go right out there and have a chance to do better.
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http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/02/14...hiller-for-now
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“I won the last two games I played, and I still don’t play, so I think mentally it’s not easy,” Hiller said after the morning skate in anticipation of the clash.
“And you know it’s my contract year, and so it’s tough, tough not to think about those things.”
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http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/01/14...art-in-a-month
A lot of 'tending is between the ears, and confidence is absolutely vital back there. Constantly questioning what your status with the club is can't be easy. Are you the starter? 1A? Potential 1C? Yikes.
Anyway, Hiller certainly could have been more PC but as a previous poster pointed out, it doesn't change anything. I think he truly wanted to be the guy to get the Flames into the playoffs, and when it was clear he couldn't provide that and the management didn't have any faith in him, I think his effort level did nosedive. I'm ultimately glad he's gone, as his confidence is clearly shattered and without that you don't have much as a goalie. Still, I wish him the best of luck.