Quote:
Originally Posted by 868904
I think we are thinking the same. If Gillies had progressed properly, he SHOULD be ready next year and SHOULD have been close enough this year to bring him in early, in case Smith implodes, which he has.
I don't think the Flames saw this type of implosion from both Smith AND Gillies.
It was a tough debate going back into the Summer. I think half the board thought the Flames should have gone out and acquired a veteran goalie who could be a 1A/1B type like Hutton or Halak in case Smith falters.
The other half of the board thought we needed to give Gillies/Rittich the back up spot and didn't want them blocked. The Flames gambled with this decision and now it's up to Rittich to save the day.
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Just playing devils advocate here but lots of goalies have had questionable starts to their careers and turned out good.
Rask: similar numbers to Gillies in the AHL their first 2 seasons. 3.25 / .886 in his first few starts in the NHL, Gillies actually has better stats but Rask was already a bonafide backup by 24 years old while Gillies played 3 full seasons in college.
Hellebuyck: both were lights out in the NCAA (Hellebuyck with slightly better numbers) followed by average to good numbers in the AHL. Hellebuyck has a very good rookie season but then fell off his sophomore year, posting a nearly identical GAA compared to Gillies rookie year (2.88). Hellebuyck only did 2 years in the NCAA and is an established starter by 25 years old (Gillies is currently 24).
Varlamov: up and down numbers in the AHL to start his career, 2.40 -> 1.95 -> 3.36. His first full season in the NHL (24 years old) he posted 3.02 / .903.
Bishop: great 3 years in college, first few AHL years he was up and down, GAA anywhere from 2.26 to 2.81. Average NHL numbers his first few years, didn’t post good numbers until he was 26 years old.
Bobrovsky: okay numbers in the KHL, similar to Gillies in the AHL, poor to average rookie/sophomore years (2.59 -> 3.02), didn’t really establish himself until he was 25.
Holtby: good in the AHL, great in limited starts his first few years, big drop off in his 24 year old season (2.85 GAA) rebounded as a full time starter at 25 years old.
There still lots of potential in Gillies and Parsons.