Quote:
Originally Posted by Conroy4Mayor
Just watched Zatkoff beat the Rangers, which got me wondering if he might not be a better option than Ortio as the backup next year (I still want Elliott as the starter).
Zatkoff's a UFA, and Pittsburg is probably not going to try to resign him. They clearly want to keep Murray.
Zatkoff could probably be signed for the league minimum (same as Ortio), but Zatkoff's numbers are better than Ortio's and he has more NHL experience (and success). I know most people on CP really like Ortio, but if you take off the homer glasses, maybe Zatkoff has a better likelihood of success. His stats over the past three years in Pittsburg are pretty good.
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I actually don't think you will find too many guys with homer glasses on this forum in regards to Ortio. I think people just saw him finally do 'ok' consistently to the point people are 'ok' with the Flames retaining him to see if he continues to progress or not.
Could be a decent backup. Could get picked off if assigned to the minors. Could be a good tandem to run with Gillies in Stockton to help push Gillies. Could very well not be retained at all, and I think few people would show much angst in letting him walk.
I would think the majority of posters here would probably prefer a bona fide starter and a completely new goalie as a backup signed as well. Heck, I think Ramo would probably be a better backup than Ortio would, though Ortio's age MAY indicate that there is more room to develop.
Ramo/Ortio/Berra/Karlsson - all backups (or lower) it seems. Ortio just happens to be the youngest, and thus perhaps the greatest potential to improve. Wouldn't write him totally off from becoming a fairly decent starter in this league, but I also would be very fine in having the Flames go out and find two brand new goalies. I would venture a guess that most people would feel the same way.
Edit: But totally agree on Zatkoff. I think there are a tonne of goalies that would make fairly decent backups available, and a number that have starter potential. Zatkoff would be an upgrade on Ortio now and probably an upgrade on potential as well. I think there are probably a good solid 5+ such 'backup and up' young goalies available.