QOTD: Ortio Decision

[Bingo]

Ramo is on the trip, and has to be close. The Flames can choose to carry three goaltenders, move a goalie, or send Ortio down by either

a) putting Glencross on the DL
b) sending Granlund to the farm

The kid has a 0.500 goals against average and a .984 save percentage and back to back road wins for a team that needs every inch of goaltending they can secure.

What do the Flames do?

[killer_carlson]

Granlund down to get some games (he's going down at the break anyways).

[dying4acup]

I would start by asking Ramo to go for a condintioning stint. I can't see how you don't ride the hot hand. It's not like either Hiller or Ramo were lighting the world on fire the past 6 weeks.

[Anduril]

They'll give him the chance to run with it but I think it's more interesting to consider if he plays very well but the team loses. Do you continue there? What if it happens in two of the California games?

The other scenarios seem more clear cut up until the trade deadline at least.

[Scoutski]

I'd rather wait and see him in about 10 games (if he proves consistent)... there isn't necessarily a rush, but I think we COULD end up trading a goalie if he proves he can keep up the high quality tending. That said, it's way too premature to do that now, need a better NHL sample.

[Igster]

Chose option 3. Was going to choose option 2 but I don't think it should be until he loses. What if Ortio still looks fantastic in a game and loses anyway due to circumstances? I don't think a loss should seal his fate to go down.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

It won't be popular, but I think they send him down. Three goalies is not ideal and I think Ramo needs to get worked back in the lineup, perhaps to set up a deadline deal for either he or Hiller.

[FlamesAddiction]

I picked "Activate Ramo, and run with three goaltenders until Ortio loses ", but I would expand to be not until he loses per se, but until he comes back down to Earth. Obviously a 0.50 GAA and 98% save percentage is not going to be sustainable for long. I don't think it sends a good message to send Ortio down the minute he loses if he still plays great though.

I am apprehensive about trading one of Ramo or Hiller at this point though. I am optimistic about Ortio for the long term, but trading one of our goalies now would put us in a dangerous position if one of them was to be injured later on.

I would actually try to extend Ramo now and then wait until the offseason to trade either Ramo or Hiller.

[Poe969]

You know you should really have more options for this.....lol

It's a really hard place to be in for the Flames because Ortio is playing great. If he stays up and carries the team then it's awesome but if you send him down as soon as he loses, it could send the wrong message. But if they told him that he'd only be up as long as there was an injury and then he's sent back it's ok too. If he goes down, he'll help the baby Flames out a lot too which is awesome.

It's just a really good position to be in because I don't think they can do much harm either keeping him up or sending him down. We're just lucky to have him in our system.

[chopper89]

I think the time to trade is now- admitting it's a lot easier said, than done in the NHL.

Dubnyk for a third might be a good price-setter for Ramo. Move him, and decide the future is now for Ortio, like they have for Gaudreau, Granlund, Jooris. I like Ramo- but don't think the playoff chances take a hit by replacing with Ortio now.

On top of that, it jumps development of a key player in preparation for another step forward as a team next season.

[Bingo]

it's a unique situation with the contract status of the two Finnish goaltenders for next season.

Ramo is likely leaving anyway (trade or free agency)
Ortio is coming anyway (one way contract starting in the fall)

Given their playoff standing (this wouldn't be an issue if they were in 25th spot), I think you have to put the best team forward. If Ortio forces your hand it gets forced.

Allows the prospects to see that you can push your way on to the team if you out play veterans.

[cupraisedn89]

Its a tough decision. I think they have to roll with him while he's hot. While I don't like the idea of having 3 goalies up you have to keep Ortio up with performances like this. Interesting to see what Hartley does


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[Drury18]

I picked "Activate Ramo, keep until All Star Break" because at this point, you have to give Ortio a real chance to play games. He's shown to be strong in net this time around and with Ramo becoming a UFA and goaltending decisions needing to be made, this is the time to do it. Ortio's play is helping the club, not hindering so there is no reason to send him back.

As one other poster mentioned and I had expanded upon last night, Ramo going to the AHL on a conditioning stint would be a benefit to all parties. He's been injured/sick twice in the last month and a bit and since the start of December, he's played 5 games in 6 weeks. He's not really compete ready that way and sending him to the AHL would let him start 4 or 5 games in that two weeks and just get his legs and "goalie sense" back so that he comes back to Calgary a little more game ready. You can practice all you want, but he needs to get some game action and the AHL would be a great way to do that.

[heep223]

You can't send him down while he's playing really well, period.

What an interesting season this continues to be. Very much in the playoff hunt in mid January in a tough conference, been injury riddled but the kids have been good, carrying three goalies including a rookie who's playing lights out, going on a killer road trip through California around a period of awkward breaks in the schedule. Gaudreau in Calder hunt and Gio leading Norris candidate.

10/10 CPers would take this scenario if it was offered at the beginning of the year. This season has been a huge success no matter what happens!

[King Theo]

I like the idea of sending Ramo down for a condintioning stint. He has not played a lot in the past month.

Do we need to take him off of IR?

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by King Theo

I like the idea of sending Ramo down for a condintioning stint. He has not played a lot in the past month.

Do we need to take him off of IR?

Yes, he would need to be activated from IR and then sent to the AHL for conditioning. You can't assign anyone on IR to anything until they have been activated.

I'm fairly certain they could do both at once so that it doesn't take up a roster spot. Worst case you "send Granlund/Ortio down" in a paper transaction, activate Ramo from the IR, send Ramo down, call up Granlund/Ortio when Ramo's conditioning stint paperwork goes through and we don't break any roster rules.

Here's the official rule about IR/Conditioning Stint

Player who is on the Bona-Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception, or who has been unfit for 24 calendar days and ten (10) NHL Regular Season games, may be Loaned on a Bona-Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan (with the Player's consent) pursuant to Section 13.9 above for a period not to exceed the longer of six (6) days
and three (3) games (which Loan is not subject to any extension), provided, however, if the Player is not on the Bona-Fide Long Term Injury/Illness Exception, he cannot be Loaned while he is on Injured Reserve;

Ramo is on IR, not LTIR.

[Toonage]

I would try to move one of Ramo or Hiller. We know Ortio is going to be here next year full time, and he's played well in the AHL. Well enough that he's earned a spot here. At best he steals us some big wins, and at worst he plays as inconsistent as Ramo or Hiller but we pick up an additional draft pick from the trade.

[PeteMoss]

If you can get something for Ramo then sure do it. But I doubt you can, so ride Ortio for now and then send him down when he cools off. No harm in playing more in the AHL. He'll be up here next year.

[442scotty]

The flames are in the fight of the year right now. You cant take a chance playing Hiller or Ramo right now when Ortio is hot.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Am I the only one who thinks Ramo is better than Hiller?