Has David Shantz Cut ties with The Heat?

[c.t.ner]

Just curious to see if anyone else saw this, but it's from the Abbotsford Heat Twitter feed.

http://twitter.com/abbotsfordheat/status/18371977995

Thanks to David Shantz for a good season between the pipes for the Abbtosford Heat...all the best.

Incredibly odd to see a comment like this pop-up on an official account without a press release or something. So is Shantz done with Heat and to a larger extent the Flames organization?

(P.S. If this is unsubstantiated, please close this thread)

[Mango]

I believe he signed a deal with the Manitoba Moose today.

[Mango]

Yup:

http://www.moosehockey.com/moosenews/407/1836

[jeremywilhelm]

Suttee probably wants Keetley and Irving to poop or get off the pot. Now they have to play, no matter what. Which is probably the best choice for Sutter to make. Time to see if his drafting and prospect pool can actually live up to what he claims they are.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Mango

I believe he signed a deal with the Manitoba Moose today.

Confirmed: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bre...-98250734.html

[Reggie Dunlop]

Best he could fetch was another minor league deal. Methinks folks might have put too much hope into the guy. Reality says he's an okay, but not great AHL goalie.

At least guys like Krahn and McElhinney were All Stars in that league before getting a cup of coffee in the bigs. Shows how far back Shantz really is.

[Resolute 14]

Also worth noting that Shantz's great season was, statistically, no better than Irving's off season. But really, good for him! The Flames only signed Shantz because they made an obligation to put a goaltender in Victoria. He took that opportunity and turned himself from an ECHL player into an AHL player. That he was able to advance his career in this fashion speaks highly of both his work ethic and the capability of the coaching staff in Abbotsford.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Sutter said in a recent press conference that Karlsson's signing pretty much meant the end for Shantz in the Flames organization.

[Muta]

So now... does this mean Irving is the big boy in Abbotsford? Make or break time for him? I would assume so.

[sevenarms]

Originally Posted by Muta

So now... does this mean Irving is the big boy in Abbotsford? Make or break time for him? I would assume so.

Irving is definately the big boy in Abbotsford but I don't think it's make or break time for him yet. He's only 22 and it'll depend on how Karlsson does with the big club. If Karlsson flops it'll put more pressure on Irving to become a serviceable back up goalie. If Karlsson plays well the pressure is off Irving and he can take a bit more time in his development. As it stands though I don't think Irving will ever be more than a decent back-up in the NHL. I hope I'm proven wrong though.

[Azure]

Good for him.

Given a chance in the ECHL and has turned into an AHL bid.

[jeremywilhelm]

Shantz was really no better than Irving this year. Irving got shelled hard mid season when the Heat had 6 of there top 7 dmen injured. That's the only reason his stats look bad.

He is fundamentally a more solid and stronger goalie than either Shantz or Keetley.

This is my opinion after watching all three this year.

[jeremywilhelm]

There is a reason that Irving was chosen over Keetley for the playoff run. Shantz had alot of momentum going into the playoffs but he is an AHL player at best.

[Azure]

I don't think its far to label him an AHL player at best.

I think he can prove himself, and hopefully Manitoba gives him that chance.

Flames could still sign him to a pro deal down the road right? He just has an AHL contract right now.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Sounds like Shantz is ticketed for the ECHL. The Moose have two new guys on NHL deals.

If he was all that, he'd have gotten a NHL contract. But he did not. He is a minor league journeyman.

Link

[Southern_Canuck]

Originally Posted by jeremywilhelm

There is a reason that Irving was chosen over Keetley for the playoff run. Shantz had alot of momentum going into the playoffs but he is an AHL player at best.

???

Shantz GP 13 MIN 762 W 6 L 6 (SO 1) GA 34 GAA 2.68 SV% 0.899
Irving GP 1 MIN 14 W 0 L 1 GA 3 GAA 12.97 SV% 0.571

S_C

[jeremywilhelm]

He got shelled in one game where Shantz got pulled and then Irving took a shelling as well.

[Eddie Bronze]

Originally Posted by sevenarms

Irving is definately the big boy in Abbotsford but I don't think it's make or break time for him yet. He's only 22...

Exactly. The guy that just won the Vezina didn't make the NHL full-time until he was 25. Lots of time for Leland Irving yet, way too much to be making any kind of determination about his future in the NHL.

[Beerfest]

All the best to Shantz, his stats were not amazing though, which is why im kinda glad he's moving on and giving another chance to Irving and Keetley.

[Resolute 14]

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