I voted skill and would rank: (1) skill, (2) cap hit and (3) acquisition cost. You need a top 10-15 goalie to consistently be competitive. If the flames can get a top tier goalie the acquisition cost means far far less. Acquisition cost, while important, becomes much more tolerable if you land a Dougie Hamilton-esque equivalent goalie.
As for Gillies, I don't think his potential should weigh into who the flames acquire. He may be a star in the league and develop into one in the next 2+ years, but if the flames can acquire a short and long term solution now, AND Gillies develops, the Flames are in an enviable position (akin to Luongo and Schneider, but handled better).
Personally, I would rather pay for an Anderson, Vasilevsky, Fleury (Murray - if the Pens approach Fleury/Murray like the Habs did with Price/Halak), Elliott/Allen, Mrazek than explore Reimer (at any value above backup money) with the hope that Gillies becomes the long term solution.
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