[QUOTE=Joni Ortio had a .926 sv% one year in the minors but could never develop into a consistent goalie for us. I'm betting even if it's not in the forefront of people's minds they probably feel a bit burnt rating him so high the one year.[/QUOTE]
I was impressed with Rittich last year. He did better than expected. However I am not even convinced he had a better year than Gillies. He had better counting stats.
For a good chunk of the season Gillies played more of the top AHL teams while Rittich got more of the 'play the backup' games. When the playoffs started Gillies was the choice as starter. Albeit on a shortish leash but still the first choice.
While Gillies wasn't great last year he didn't sh*t the bed. Not a bad year at all for a rookie coming off major surgery. And Gillies has done elite level stuff in the past. Like winning national championships and making the World Junior team as a starter. Rittich does not have these kind of indicators. What he has is a promising start to a pro career in North America.
When the Flames looked at their goalies for 2017-18 they said 'we need Eddie Lack'. Not a condemnation necessarily but it does say they want to see a lot more at the minor pro level from these guys.
As the post says neither Gillies nor Rittich have Ortio-level stats yet.
Therefore I think it is quite reasonable that most consider Rittich well behind Gillies. Myself I still have Gillies ahead of Parsons because I want to see what he can do at the next level first. However I may be changing that order soon.
Or maybe this is the year Gillies is lights out, proving he is a stud, and Lack is gone at the trade deadline. Then Gillies pulls at Matt Murray on Smith in the playoffs.
Wouldn't that be nice. The one thing I don't like about our team is our NHL tandem. They worry me.
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