Quote:
Originally Posted by Fire
Ramo would want $3+ million per year or he would just go back to the KHL. Plus with his serious injury, I don't think he makes sense for the backup spot.
What going on with Chad Johnson? He had pretty good numbers with the Sabres last season.
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This is a good point that I haven't really thought of. If that is the case—as it seems likely to be—then I would expect he will end up back in Russia next year. However, with the instability of the Ruble right now he might be more motivated to stay in NA even if he has to leave money on the table. He is not from Russia, so I don't see there being any nostalgic reasons to push him back there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by heep223
In the end I'd probably be ok with Ramo backing up, but I would have some reservations about it.
I would worry that we'd get into another tandem situation. I wouldn't want Ramo playing more than 10-15 games and would want a clear understanding that he's the backup goalie at $750k-$1M. He'd then have to choose between that option and going to Europe next season. If we're going for a tandem I'd rather we go with a different FA goalie or trade for another one...
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To be clear here, I do not see Ramo as a "third goaltender," but even so, the biggest problem for the Flames last year was not having a solid #1 goalie, and three marginal options to play a full season of hockey. The situation going in this year would be totally different, and my preference would be to see Ortio starting in the NHL, but with Ramo in Stockton as insurance: If Elliot is hurt, or if Ortio has another very poor start a goalie like Ramo can come in in a pinch to be the #2 in Calgary. Or, he could be the replacement #1 in Stockton if Gillies gets a chance to play some games in Calgary.
I don't think the Flames need a backup goalie. Ortio should be given every consideration to take that job. What the Flames need is a goalie who they can shuttle around and fill holes for injuries or underperformance when they are likely to arise. It will be very difficult to find a UFA goalie to play that sort of a role, but with Ramo recovering from injury and in a situation in which he has something to prove I could see him as a good option to fill this position.