Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
Was going to say this. The Flames are looking for a number one goalie, not a backup. Which means you use a guy who's been a number one already (MAF/Smith) or a backup who might be ready to make the move (Raanta/Grubauer/Pickard/Mrazek...) The Canes have done the latter with Darling.
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To that point, Raanta has more games than 3 of those goalies (17 more than Darling, 29 more than Grubauer and 9 more than Pickard). Mrazek has been a starter for 2 seasons now, but had around 50 games less than Raanta when the Wings made him the #1. Raanta also has 38 more games than Talbot had when the Oilers made him the #1 and about 60 games more than Martin Jones had when San Jose made him the starter.
Based on games played and results, Raanta is as ready as can be to take the next step. Maybe it doesn't work out, but it's worth a shot.