Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
Not going to argue that they need more from a backup, clearly that's the case.
But once again that's not my target. If the Flames lose Rittich, Giordano or Gaudreau they are likely not going to go very far. But they really can't bring in a player in each case as insurance.
If they get a backup how much of a change will it honestly be? Not much available. If they had the average backup, and he started 8 more games, the difference between the average backup and Smith is about 4.5 goals for the rest of the season.
Not sure I'd expend assets for that.
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I think the Flames could weather it losing Gio or Gaudreau for a few games in the playoffs, maybe even a series. Losing Rittich (or just having him regress a little)... I doubt it very much.
We don't need a "back-up" goalie, as much as we do a capable goaltending partner that can be part of a tandem. The back-up concept is archaic and rarely useful. Most successful teams have 2 decent options and try to keep their goalies fresh.
I mentioned it a couple of times, but 30 goalies saw playoff action last year. So far this season, there are about 50 goalies that have played more than a 1/3rd of their teams games (keeping in mind that many of those teams have used more than 2 goalies this season). Granted, sometimes it is forced on the team because of injuries, but more and more teams find the 1A/1B model is superior over the traditional starter/back-up model, where the backup is lucky to get 20 games per season.
Last year, only 7 goalies played more than 60 games all season and most weren't what I would call successful.