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Originally Posted by jlh2640
At some point you have to let the young guys take the reins.
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Of course, but it is still really premature to be taking this course with Gillies and Rittich. Gillies has effectively played only one full year of pro hockey, was good but not great in the AHL, and has played only one NHL game. Rittich has played only one year of NA hockey, and he has played only 20 mins of an NHL game. There is still plenty of time to transition one of them to the NHL.
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I get we are in the compete now mode. Smith is injury prone. So what we should over pay a career backup or try and sign Elliott ?? Its time to develop a young guy. Gillies playing in the NHL would help him understand how to be a pro. And practice like a pro. Rittich too, its time.
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It is NOT time. Gillies is only 23-years old, and Rittich is 24. Virtually nothing will be lost by letting them both develop for another year.
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I do not think this attitude of keep goalies developing in AHL is smart. Yes there are some examples, but many like Al Montoya and Jack Campbell did not do well with that. You either make it or you dont. Let someone step up.
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Campbell and Montoya did not suffer for being held back from the NHL. The problem for both of them was neither was able to even establish any sort of sustained success at the AHL level.
There are many more successful NHL goalies who did not make the transition from the AHL to the NHL until they were in their mid/late-20s than there are those who were fast-tracked before turning 25.