Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Would you re-sign Brian Elliott?

Calgary4LIfe · 01-07-2017, 01:40 AM

For the Flames to re-sign him, he needs to give them a reason to do so, right? I don't think he has done that. He has just been too inconsistent. Even the games he has won, there were too many 'softies'. I don't think he has been 'solid'. He hasn't been horrible (outside of a few games), but he hasn't looked like a world beater.

With that being said, he is capable of going on a really massive hot streak. Again, is that who he is, or is this who he is now - a capable 1B type who gives 'ok' goaltending?

Flames also really need to take a look at Rittich this season. He is an RFA next year. Is he worth another contract? His AHL record seems to think so, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Is he a Curtis Joseph, or is he a Curtis McElhinney (or not even)? Only way to figure that out is to give him some starts at the NHL level, but it is always difficult giving breaking a goalie into the NHL. I am not sure he is ready (no idea). I just know that he has been doing well in the AHL, and is an RFA.

Flames are also facing a bit of a logjam in the system:

Rittich (AHL, 24 this year, RFA next season)
Gillies (AHL, 22 this year, RFA next season)
MacDonald (ECHL, 20 this year)
Schneider (Junior, 19)
Parsons (Junior, 19)

I would figure that Parsons (maybe even Schneider) should probably graduate this year, though I am sure one is going back to Junior. One takes over Mason Macdonald spot in the ECHL, MacDonald graduates to the AHL, and there has to be some room made.

Gillies of course will get re-signed. Does Rittich walk? I have no idea. I think you have to play him some games at the NHL level to figure that out, but Flames find themselves in the midst of a playoff race where one game can drop you out of the playoffs at season's end.

Elliott has not been 'great' by any stretch. Probably not as bad as his record indicates, but he hasn't provided the Flames with consistent high-level goaltending.

I would mark a big X across Elliott's name for next-season. Question is, do the Flames promote from within, or trade for one in the off-season/sign one from the UFA bin? I would be inclined to believe Johnson gets another contract from the Flames. Big question for me is who else?

I really do think that the Flames have to figure out if Rittich is at least a capable, dependable backup at the NHL level. Going to be difficult working him in (outside of a long-term injury issue with one of the existing Flames goalies).

01-07-2017, 01:40 AM	#14
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	For the Flames to re-sign him, he needs to give them a reason to do so, right? I don't think he has done that. He has just been too inconsistent. Even the games he has won, there were too many 'softies'. I don't think he has been 'solid'. He hasn't been horrible (outside of a few games), but he hasn't looked like a world beater. With that being said, he is capable of going on a really massive hot streak. Again, is that who he is, or is this who he is now - a capable 1B type who gives 'ok' goaltending? Flames also really need to take a look at Rittich this season. He is an RFA next year. Is he worth another contract? His AHL record seems to think so, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Is he a Curtis Joseph, or is he a Curtis McElhinney (or not even)? Only way to figure that out is to give him some starts at the NHL level, but it is always difficult giving breaking a goalie into the NHL. I am not sure he is ready (no idea). I just know that he has been doing well in the AHL, and is an RFA. Flames are also facing a bit of a logjam in the system: Rittich (AHL, 24 this year, RFA next season) Gillies (AHL, 22 this year, RFA next season) MacDonald (ECHL, 20 this year) Schneider (Junior, 19) Parsons (Junior, 19) I would figure that Parsons (maybe even Schneider) should probably graduate this year, though I am sure one is going back to Junior. One takes over Mason Macdonald spot in the ECHL, MacDonald graduates to the AHL, and there has to be some room made. Gillies of course will get re-signed. Does Rittich walk? I have no idea. I think you have to play him some games at the NHL level to figure that out, but Flames find themselves in the midst of a playoff race where one game can drop you out of the playoffs at season's end. Elliott has not been 'great' by any stretch. Probably not as bad as his record indicates, but he hasn't provided the Flames with consistent high-level goaltending. I would mark a big X across Elliott's name for next-season. Question is, do the Flames promote from within, or trade for one in the off-season/sign one from the UFA bin? I would be inclined to believe Johnson gets another contract from the Flames. Big question for me is who else? I really do think that the Flames have to figure out if Rittich is at least a capable, dependable backup at the NHL level. Going to be difficult working him in (outside of a long-term injury issue with one of the existing Flames goalies).