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Calgary4LIfe · 10-10-2017, 10:51 PM

I am actually higher on Gillies than I have ever been in the past, but he is most definitely better off in staying in the AHL, barring injury to the existing goalies in Calgary. As FDW posted above, those are good points.

A note of caution - Many on these boards felt that Irving was ready for the NHL, but in practically every season he lost his starting gig to another goalie. He never really dominated down there, and when he was up here, he never looked NHL-caliber to me.

Same thing with Ortio (though to me, not as glaring). Ortio seemed a bit rushed into the league. Rushed out of the league even faster.

I think Rittich is a damn good prospect with more experience as a pro. If Gillies is going to be ready to get a long look in the NHL, he has to beat out Rittich for that job in the AHL. I like both of them, but they each have to wrestle that job from one another. I am not a fan of the Lack signing (though hoping to be proved wrong), but I would much rather him playing a sparse 20 or 30 games this season than having either Rittich or Gillies do that. Let them play more games and earn that chance to be backup to Smith next year. After that, a backup role is the way to go for a season in the NHL (with AHL conditioning stints as needed), and then take the reigns from Smith.

To me, that is the natural progression that the Flames have built into their timeline. Parsons will be taking over in the AHL next season with either Rittich or someone else that they find (or MacDonald, if he starts showing a bit more consistency in his game, which I think is sometimes outstanding, sometimes horrendous).

Either way, Gillies (and Rittich) are both better served this year playing regularly and not being sat for long stretches of time. Next year is the year to really start introducing whomever rises to the top to a regular NHL game, while getting the necessary reps down in the AHL if needed.

Let's not thrust a goalie prematurely into the NHL, or just allow a goalie who hasn't earned it to actually get that chance. Irving never deserved it (how many goalies supplanted him in the AHL? Keeltely, Taylor, Brust just off the top of my head. Maybe more?).

Gillies is finally in a good place getting lots of ice time and seeing lots of rubber. Let him keep focused on the task at hand and dominate before taking the next step. No need to rush him. He may even get some games in this season if injuries hit, or a bad streak, or just rest both goalies near the end of the season dependent on how many games they faced before the playoffs.

10-10-2017, 10:51 PM	#72
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I am actually higher on Gillies than I have ever been in the past, but he is most definitely better off in staying in the AHL, barring injury to the existing goalies in Calgary. As FDW posted above, those are good points. A note of caution - Many on these boards felt that Irving was ready for the NHL, but in practically every season he lost his starting gig to another goalie. He never really dominated down there, and when he was up here, he never looked NHL-caliber to me. Same thing with Ortio (though to me, not as glaring). Ortio seemed a bit rushed into the league. Rushed out of the league even faster. I think Rittich is a damn good prospect with more experience as a pro. If Gillies is going to be ready to get a long look in the NHL, he has to beat out Rittich for that job in the AHL. I like both of them, but they each have to wrestle that job from one another. I am not a fan of the Lack signing (though hoping to be proved wrong), but I would much rather him playing a sparse 20 or 30 games this season than having either Rittich or Gillies do that. Let them play more games and earn that chance to be backup to Smith next year. After that, a backup role is the way to go for a season in the NHL (with AHL conditioning stints as needed), and then take the reigns from Smith. To me, that is the natural progression that the Flames have built into their timeline. Parsons will be taking over in the AHL next season with either Rittich or someone else that they find (or MacDonald, if he starts showing a bit more consistency in his game, which I think is sometimes outstanding, sometimes horrendous). Either way, Gillies (and Rittich) are both better served this year playing regularly and not being sat for long stretches of time. Next year is the year to really start introducing whomever rises to the top to a regular NHL game, while getting the necessary reps down in the AHL if needed. Let's not thrust a goalie prematurely into the NHL, or just allow a goalie who hasn't earned it to actually get that chance. Irving never deserved it (how many goalies supplanted him in the AHL? Keeltely, Taylor, Brust just off the top of my head. Maybe more?). Gillies is finally in a good place getting lots of ice time and seeing lots of rubber. Let him keep focused on the task at hand and dominate before taking the next step. No need to rush him. He may even get some games in this season if injuries hit, or a bad streak, or just rest both goalies near the end of the season dependent on how many games they faced before the playoffs.