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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Not sure I'd go that far but you're right that I probably slightly underrated the importance of a backup with that statement. I think top 4 defensemen and 3rd line centre are more important as they are playing 100% of the games while healthy. Goalie is the most important position in the game but the backup only plays a quarter to a third of the time approximately. Guess I was guilty of some of the hyperbole I was complaining about lol. That said in the playoffs the backup sees almost no time unless the starter craps the bed. If Rittich starts all the playoff games then where is the issue? Do people really think we're going to acquire a starter better than Rittich mid season? That's massively unrealistic.
We do not auto lose with Smith. Smith doesn't always let in a weak goal. Sometimes we win even when we let in a weak goal. Smith may start letting in less weak goals. We may start playing Smith even less.
I just don't see this as a critical issue that must be solved immediately. And even if it were its not as simple to fix as people make it out to be. There aren't a wealth of teams who have clear upgrades in goal that are actually available for trade. How many goalies clearly better than Smith/Rittich are available and at what price? I'm not sure there's more than a handful and I'm sure the prices on some of them make them not a realistic option for Treliving.
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In my opinion, the only way Smith is a real problem is if the points he costs the Flames moves them out of 1st in the division. First in the conference would be nice, but not super important (he's probably already cost them that). First in the division is very important though. Getting games 5 and 7 at home in the first two rounds is a big advantage, and playing a wild card team in the first round is also a big bonus.
It's so hard to guess what price a good backup or 1B goalie would cost right now. They change hands so rarely mid-season.
I'd be willing to give up a prospect like Foo, Mangiapane, Rychel, Lazar or Quine and/or a 5th+ draft pick on a backup right now. If that isn't enough, then I guess hold out and wait for closer to the deadline when more teams will be giving up on the playoffs.