[News] Hiller to start against Leafs. Backstrom to start against Wild on Thursday

[sureLoss]

Derek WillsVerified account ‏@Fan960Wills
#Flames Niklas Backstrom will start tonight vs. #Canadiens and Thursday vs. #Wild, Jonas Hiller will start tomorrow vs. #MapleLeafs.

[Split98]

Was just about to buy tickets to the Leafs game... rethinking this now...

[Locke]

Showcasing him for HC Biel?

[ah123]

Originally Posted by Locke

Showcasing him for HC Bien?

[GREEN TEXT]
Giving the Leafs a chance to to catch the Flames in the standings
[/GREEN TEXT]

[icecube]

Yesssssss

[Geeoff]

Why give Hiller any starts? Seems a little tanky to me. Not a fan.

[Steveyoto]

Hmm, maybe the brass does not want this good play lately to turn into some sort of point streak.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Why give Hiller any starts? Seems a little tanky to me. Not a fan.

You're right, why would a team start their #1 goaltender?

Like it or not...

[nik-]

I think the suggestion is that he's not the number 1 goaltender.

... because he sucks.

[Vinny01]

We have passed the Canucks in the standings and are looking at picking 6-9th in the draft. Need to get more Matthews points so play the washed up goalies

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nik-

I think the suggestion is that he's not the number 1 goaltender.

... because he sucks.

You know what, I dont know what it is. I like Hiller and I dont think he sucks, his play this season has certainly been orders of magnitude below par but another reason I dont mind him leaving is because I dont think his head or heart are in it anymore.

Hes never been the same since he got pulled against Anaheim, replaced by Ramo and then Ramo was re-signed. And he has been objectively terrible ever since. No argument there. But isnt as though his talent has dried up.

But, like it or not hes our #1 goaltender at the moment. Despite his poor play with Ramo on the IR no one can say that he isnt.

So to start your #1 goaltender isnt 'tanking' especially as at the moment he cant really be replaced.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by Locke

Blah blah blah (I'm teasing Locke)

I would argue that Ortio has become our defacto #1 lately. His play has been rock solid and the team plays ever so much better in front of him. Hiller should never see the ice as a Flame again IMO. Sure he was great last season, but the precipitous fall off in his play this season says to me he's just no longer worthy of an NHL job.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

I would argue that Ortio has become our defacto #1 lately. His play has been rock solid and the team plays ever so much better in front of him. Hiller should never see the ice as a Flame again IMO. Sure he was great last season, but the precipitous fall off in his play this season says to me he's just no longer worthy of an NHL job.

The Flames are a classy organization, they will give vets every opportunity to find their game, especially when the games mean nothing. They know that Hiller is likely done in the NHL, but benching him for the last month would seal his fate.

[Huntingwhale]

The 3 headed goalie monster rises again. Twice in one season. Hilarious.

[Zoller]

Don't agree with putting Hiller in net. Rumblings have been hes not even practising well so the decision to start him is perplexing. Maybe Hartley has bought into the tank?

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[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

But, like it or not hes our #1 goaltender at the moment.

no, he isn't. When the other guy starts 8 out of the last 9, we're not talking about Hiller as a #1 anymore.

let's call a spade a spade here ... they won quite a few games with Ortio in net. While that is great, it also worsens the Flames' draft chances. Hiller will stop that. But who knows, the Leafs are so bad that the Flames might still grind out a 7-6 victory

[Machiavelli]

All the other crappy teams have activated tank-mode, I guess the Flames are no different.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

This team doesn't have a number 1 goalie at the moment, just a big question mark st that position. Ortio has definetly been our best of late, turning in what has been IMO the second best stint from a goalie we've seen this year in a Flames uni (Ramo's December play being the best).

With the team out of the playoffs, the 3 headed goalie monster doesn't matter much. They can keep giving Ortio starts to see him in action and build his confidence, but there's nothing he can do between now and seasons end to change the fact that the Flames will be needing to find another goalie to bring in, Ortio's play has been far too inconsistent this year to feel comfortable going forward with him as you number 1.

So might as well intermingle the other guys too. Can't really see what the upside would be in our situation to kicking Hiller in the nuts on his way out while he's trying figure out his situation for next year (weather that's in the NHL or Europe) by not giving him any games. Flames have a great reputation for treating guys well, I'd like to keep that as I believe it helps attract and retain talent. Given these games are meaningless nothing to lose by playing him.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

The 3 headed goalie monster rises again. Twice in one season. Hilarious.

The players are going to be so demoralized that they will have to have group meetings with a sports psychiatrist. They'll be picking up the pieces of the team's shattered psyche for weeks, if not months.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Yes! This is the smart move. Start Ortio at home and against all all teams fighting for playoff spots. Start Backstrom and Hiller vs non-playoff teams on the road. Very smart, about the only way we can legitimately "tank".

Tank commander Jonas, lead us to higher draft pick.