I am hoping that BT has been on the phones like a madman. I don't know what he really can do at this point that doesn't come at a large cost - but the season is on the line. As difficult as it is for anyone here to justify the trades that are available, BT better have a few avenues to choose from as this was very much a widly-predicted scenario. This should not be reactionary, with how clear a potential problem this was. I might even be dipping a toe in the 'maybe BT isn't so great...' pond this year, as his off-season decisions are really glaring at the moment. Without some great play from a handful so far this season, the Flames could very well be sitting along with Smith at the bottom of the league.
Rittich has been great, and I hope that Saturday is the start of a very different year. However, I felt the same way when Smith went down with an injury. Rittich was thrown into then, but he has been very gently eased in this time around. But his handling this year does make me a little nervous. I wonder if internally they really have more confidence in Smith returning to form than they have Rittich carrying much more than they're already giving him (let alone the Starters role, which I think most are a little apprehension about). Let's hope they're wrong, but it will be a head-scratcher if Rittich takes the reigns and runs.
But with the nonsense going on with every goalie the Flames have access to outside of Rittich, they're left rolling dice. 1/4 of the way through the season I think the points Smith has cost them already have put this entire season on Rittich being able to carry the load. If he fails, a replacement needs to be coming in quick or this season is grim.
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