I agree that the goaltending is a bit of a question mark. Its my biggest concern going into the season.
But it behooves you to at least dig a bit deeper.
Yes Smith is 36. History has shown that goalies start to wear down north of 35 years old. I also tend to think because of his intensity and competitiveness, he makes himself more susceptible to injury. (I have nothing to back this up, just an opinion)
But he only played 55 games last year and really isnt showing signs that retirement is knocking on the door.
Up until he was injured last year, he was very good. Very good backstopping a team that couldn't score.
After the injury Rittich and Gillies get thrown to the wolves in an intense stretch drive that almost required perfection to make the playoffs. Is that an excuse? I don't know, maybe. But thats a tough task for any rookie goalie, regardless of pedigree.
Goaltending is always going to be a question mark, unless you're one of those teams with an undisputed #1. Heck, you could argue Carey Price is a question mark after last season. Kipper is probably the best goalie in the history of the franchise. He was a question mark when first acquired.
The passed 5 years or so, the Flames have had okay to good teams, that absolutely needed excellent goaltending to go anywhere.
This is the best assembled roster in a long time around these parts. Unless something catastrophic happens, I don't think this teams fortunes rest 100% on the shoulders of the goaltenders. For the first time in a long time.
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