Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike F
Don't disagree about Dansk vs. Gilles and Rittich. But IMO, one of the latter two has to make a strong showing in the remaining preseason games. If not, the Flames need to get a credible 2nd goalie to play with Smith. They can't afford to throw away any points in what will be a tight Pacific Division...
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No, they really don't. As I pointed out earlier in this thread, Rittich played one pre-season game in 2017 and posted a 0.778 SP. The next time he played in the NHL he rattled off six wins and two OT points in ten games with a very tidy +0.920 SP. The results in pre-season games are honestly virtually meaningless. It is a fraction of what the coaches and management see in the course of training camp.
I agree with Strange Brew that Treliving is most definitely combing the market for an upgrade in net, but I am also equally convinced that barring the sudden availability of a high-end starting goalie the Flames WILL enter the season with one of Rittich or Gillies on the roster. A pedestrian performance in an inconsequential pre-season game is not going to result in a panic move for a career backup goalie. It just isn't. And more to the point, the team's path to success does not hinge on one of Gillies or Rittich turning in a succession of ten bell saves in a single pre-season warm-up against SJ or Edmonton.