[Signing] Ortio signs in SEL (Sweden)

[Dajazz]

Where is SureLoss?

Signs with Skellefteå AIK for one season. http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportblade...cle23477064.ab

I won't translate it all but bla bla NHL goalie, young, promising etc.

[JurassicTunga12]

SureLoss is probably on sleep mode.

Good luck to Ortio.

[Erick Estrada]

Bummer things didn't work out for him but maybe a good season or two in Europe will generate NHL interest.

[1qqaaz]

The guys on fan960 were saying that Ortio refused to sign a 2-way contract. Since no one offered a 1-way contract, he chose Europe.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

The guys on fan960 were saying that Ortio refused to sign a 2-way contract. Since no one offered a 1-way contract, he chose Europe.

I guess he didn't like the AHL life as signing a 2-way would have at least left the door open to the NHL. Not sure if he will ever be back if he contunues to stick to that stance as its all about putting in your time as a solid AHL season may be a springboard.

[The Swedish Flame]

Bloody hell Joni. Did you have to go and sign for our rivals? Sigh.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by The Swedish Flame

Bloody hell Joni. Did you have to go and sign for our rivals? Sigh.

Is that like Oilers stink now?

[CroFlames]

I think he can be an NHL goalie.

I don't think he got a fair shake under Bob. He simply got a shake.

It was an odd experiment and none of the three goalies responded, save Ramo to a degree. I don't think it was realistic to expect Ortio to continue developing as a backup while the two top goalies were struggling like mad.

If Ortio was the backup behind Elliot for instance, I bet that by age 26 he could be a regular backup in the NHL.

Tough break for him and I wish him the best.

[spuzzum]

The choice between a half million dollars in Europe vs a 5 digit salary riding bus in the AHL would be an easy choice for many to make.

[Caged Great]

Ortio was too inconsistent from game to game. After how horrid our trio of goalies were last year, they needed to move on.

I think going to Europe for a couple seasons would be the best thing for his career. I think his career will mirror Ramo's. When he's on he's a legit 1B goalie. If he can sort things out he will be an NHLer again.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I think he can be an NHL goalie.

I don't think he got a fair shake under Bob. He simply got a shake.

It was an odd experiment and none of the three goalies responded, save Ramo to a degree. I don't think it was realistic to expect Ortio to continue developing as a backup while the two top goalies were struggling like mad.

If Ortio was the backup behind Elliot for instance, I bet that by age 26 he could be a regular backup in the NHL.

Tough break for him and I wish him the best.

I don't think you can accuse Hartley of not giving him a fair shake. He got considerably more starts than Leland Irving ever got and the fact zero NHL teams offered him a one-way deal is pretty telling that the rest of the league wasn't overly impressed with his abilities.

[JiriHrdina]

Yeah Ortio got more than enough opportunities. The fact that the dude didn't take full advantage of them is fully on him. There are only 60 NHL jobs in the entire world for goalies, so every game and every PRACTICE is an opportunity.

[CroFlames]

While true what you are saying, a 24 year old European back up needs to be taught how to play NHL hockey properly buy an experienced and confident starter.

Ortio had to figure things out on his own (which obvs didn't work) instead of learning how to be an NHLer from a good NHLer.

You hear young guys talk about this all the time. Monahan is constantly priasing Gio for helping him learn. I think it's even more so with goalies. IMO.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

While true what you are saying, a 24 year old European back up needs to be taught how to play NHL hockey properly buy an experienced and confident starter.

Ortio had to figure things out on his own (which obvs didn't work) instead of learning how to be an NHLer from a good NHLer.

You hear young guys talk about this all the time. Monahan is constantly priasing Gio for helping him learn. I think it's even more so with goalies. IMO.

Don't buy it.
The NHL is not a teaching league. It is a performance league. If you aren't good enough you aren't going to be given a lot of time to be taught - particularly if you are a goalie.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

While true what you are saying, a 24 year old European back up needs to be taught how to play NHL hockey properly buy an experienced and confident starter.

Ortio had to figure things out on his own (which obvs didn't work) instead of learning how to be an NHLer from a good NHLer.

You hear young guys talk about this all the time. Monahan is constantly priasing Gio for helping him learn. I think it's even more so with goalies. IMO.

You really think Giordano was only teaching Monahan how to be a good NHLer?

Maybe this student wasn't listening.

[Vulcan]

He got some opportunities towards the end of the year but Hartley wouldn't play him at the beginning when the other two were crapping the bed. I was hopping he'd sign a two way as he'd be a competent call up and fodder for the expansion draft.

[GranteedEV]

Ortio's consistency / ability to make saves was right on track for a 25 year old goalie.

I understand that Treliving didn't feel he had the margin for error, but nothing about Ortio's performance suggested he wasn't trending to be a quality NHL goaltender.

The SEL is a good fit though I think he would have been better off taking an NHL/AHL two-way.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

He got some opportunities towards the end of the year but Hartley wouldn't play him at the beginning when the other two were crapping the bed. I was hopping he'd sign a two way as he'd be a competent call up and fodder for the expansion draft.

Let's not forget the two starts he had in three games late October, one on the road vs the Islanders and the other at home vs Montreal. Biggest opportunity of his career, biggest opportunity for most goalies to grab a number one position and he fully and completely pooped the bed.

October 25th Ramo hurt, Hillier gets the start vs Rangers. Hillier sucks Ortio gets start vs the Islanders on the 26th... also sucks.
October 28th Ramo still hurt, Hillier gets the start vs Ottawa. Hillier sucks Ortio gets the start vs Montreal on the 30th... sucks even more!

How many opportunities do some people think he should have had? He had them, he threw them away. Maybe if he'd worked on his glove hand as much as his pompadour he'd be in the NHL right now.

Couple years back in Europe could do him wonders. He might still get there but he obviously needs time.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

He got some opportunities towards the end of the year but Hartley wouldn't play him at the beginning when the other two were crapping the bed. I was hopping he'd sign a two way as he'd be a competent call up and fodder for the expansion draft.

I think Gillies will be a just fine call up option.

[Geeoff]

I liked Ortio sometimes. I hope he finds his game and comes back to the NHL. I still think he has promise. Moving on from last year's disaster was the right thing to do. The back up will play a lot of games this year and I am more confident with Ocho Cinco.