Quote:
Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus
No matter what way you spin it, Smith is still a stop gap solution for the Flames. The window is now open for this team to start competing with the heavyweights in the conference and you can't do it with a continuous revolving door in the crease.
I would have sold the farm to land a goalie that projects to be a starter for the next 4-5 years rather than bank on a question mark journeyman for the second year in a row. Expecting prospects to pan out in a couple of years is not realistic when the Franchise has been unable to develop any at the position, practically ever.
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It's been stop gap after stop gap since Kipper retired. Given Smith's age I don't think anyone is under the impression that he's anything but a stop gap. Given the circumstances though I don't know what else Treliving could do. He did try to get Murray from the Penguins when he was in the AHL before he became a big name so he at least has a good read on goaltenders. If the it was between the Oilers and Flames for Talbot that Sather would have ensured the Oilers got him. MAF doesn't want to play for the Flames. Should he have tried harder to get Darling? Maybe. Grubauer or Raanta IMO were boom/bust in that if they couldn't handle the starting job it may sink next season so there were risks no matter what.
The team really has to ensure that Gillies or Parsons is on the roster next season as backup as they need to move forward with their own drafted/developed guys as even after Smith the team likely will have to sign/trade for a 1A/1B type of goaltender to compete with a goaltender from within for the starting job.