Quote:
Originally Posted by GordonBlue
then you have to hope that the flames are in a position they can afford to throw games out there for goalie development and the young guys do run with it.
|
I don't think so. At least, I do not think that games for either Rittich or Gillies qualify as "goalie development." They have both now played at the NHL level, and both have demonstrated to one degree or another that they can win NHL games. There is no good reason to think that any game in which Rittich or Gillies plays this year is a "throw away."
Quote:
|
If there's a dogfight for the playoffs, I can see them riding smith as long as they can and worrying about the playoffs if they get there.
|
You are likely right about this, which is why it is all the more important that Smith's starts be managed in the first half of the season. I thought one of the failings of last year was that Smith played too many games before January (in large part because Eddie Lack was awful). Ideally, Smith starts around 25 games before the end of December. Last year he started in 32 by 1 Jan.