Quote:
Originally Posted by CroFlames
I think you should go with the Rittich as backup to start the season. It's not like there is a wide gap between him and Gillies right now, and if all goes well, you want to give Gillies the net full time. Best to give him regular starts in the AHL instead of riding the pine.
We don't really care about Rittich's development, with all due respect, so he can sit for long stretches.
If Gillies improves enough to unseat Rittich, then you call him up. But when it's this close, let Gillies have starts instead of Rittich.
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I feel that is old school thinking based on starters who play 65-70 games. GUlutzan and Co. were completely idiotic in how they handled Smith's starts last year and that cannot be repeated for this team to succeed. As it stands, we have a senior citizen for a starter who will sooner or later get hurt. It's not if, but when. Whoever is backing up should be playing at least 30 games to keep Smith fresh and as healthy as possible.....this is a sizable amount of hockey and would certainly render developmental issues associated with playing time quite minimal.
The Skinny: Rittich has not been good at all this pre-season, especially for someone fighting to retain his role. If Gillies is deemed even slightly better at this point, which by all accounts is the case, you best go with him. Keeping him here would be another poor message to send the team much like the Jankowski demotion last season if he has not outplayed his competitor.