Goaltender Log Jam. What would you do?

[doctajones428]

Berra really impressed me when playing Sweden in Sochi and since Ramo went down.

One more year wouldn't hurt

[FireGilbert]

The Flames should try to find a UFA upgrade for Berra as long as it is a short contract. Maybe Brian Elliot or one of the two young goalies in Carolina? If not I'd be okay with re-signing him for a year.

Longer term I don't see Ramo or Berra in the plans. If any of the young goalies set for UFA in 2015 hit the market Calgary needs to go after them. Ortio and Gilles could be future starters but they should be given lots of time in the minors first.

[FlameZilla]

Stick with these 2 through the rebuild and let Ortio & Gillies develop outside of the limelight.

I don't think Ramo or Berra are the type of goalies you can win championships with.

If Burke wanted to upgrade one of them I would hope he'd look at Al Montoya in the offseason.

[nemanja2306]

Considering the shape of our team (especially our D), I've been impressed by Ramo. He's improved since October, and hopefully he can continue through the rest of the season and summe since he now knows what areas he needs to work on.

[EVERLAST]

I guess we've been pretty spoiled with Kipper all these years as I have been less than impressed with either goalie and the softies they let in.

I like Hartley but he really needs to decide who is going to play and how he decides it.
He is sending a weird message all the time.

Start of the year he says goalies should play till they lose....and....

He didnt fault Berra in the loss after the Oly break stating its not his fault we lost because the team in front of him didn't score any goals.

Ortio gets his start and gets no goals produced in front of him either and back in the net goes Berra after the loss.

I want to see Ortio get provided with a reasonably fair opportunity but I just dont see that happening.

We need a starting goalie that provides stability with no questions asked and no guessing.

I wonder what Burke is thinking as he has stated he hates revolving goalies

[$ven27]

Keep Ramo and Gillies, do whatever with the others.

[-TC-]

Status quo for the time being...and next season, then reevaluate based on development.

[Zulu29]

Keep Berra and Ramo as the goalies. Sign Berra to a two year deal, Ramo has one year left. If Ortio or Gillies emerges as a legit NHL goalie you trade/let Ramo go to UFA and then you have Berra and new guy. Go from there.

[Sylvanfan]

Berra has been much improved in his last 4 starts. I would need to see this carry thru the rest of the season though in order to give him another contract. He was pretty awful at the start of the season and has improved. But at this point he still looks like an inconsistent backup at best. Ramo's contract says that he will be back, and he looks like he could be a good NHL backup, at least more consistent when he does take the ice. Question is, will he be willing to take 2.5 to 3 per year or will he go back to the KHL to be a starter and likely earn more?

I think Ortio could have one more year as the number one at the AHL level. Roy, again does he show anything more than potential backup? If not than I would put Gilles in the AHL. A full year of practice and 25 games would be a good first pro season.

[moon]

The team is still 2-3 years from competing so now problem with going with Ramo/Berra again next year. Neither guy looks like much more than an adequate NHL back-up but at this point we likely aren't getting anything better without overpaying so might as well save the assets until we are closer to competing.

Re-sign Berra to a one year deal, let MacDonald go and have Ortio with either Gillies if he leaves school or Roy in the AHL. If Gillies comes out Roy goes to ECHL or loaned to another AHL team.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

Keep Berra and Ramo as the goalies. Sign Berra to a two year deal, Ramo has one year left. If Ortio or Gillies emerges as a legit NHL goalie you trade/let Ramo go to UFA and then you have Berra and new guy. Go from there.

Berra is in no position to try and get a Two year deal out of this team. Its debatable of anyone else would even offer him a 1-way contract, so hes stuck with us.

Hes inconsistent and last night epitomizes what's so frustrating about him; he looks calm and dominant for the first 75% of the game, one goal goes in and his awareness goes to pot, his composure vanishes, and against a non-Oilers opponent, we probably lose that game.

That's the sort of thing I worry is uncorrectable, but who am I? If hes back on a one year I won't complain

[Fire]

Burke has already made comments how terrible the goaltending is on the Flames so I don't expect the same tandem next season. My guess is Berra will not be re-signed. Ramo will stay and Burke will sign a UFA goalie to replace Berra. Ortio and Gillies will be in the AHL while Roy and MacDonald let go.

[Badgers Nose]

I think Ramo and Ortio start the year and Joni earns the number one spot by Christmas.

Berra is traded before the deadline next week. Maybe a sign and trade to buf if they move halak.

Buf will be worse next year, so they won't need a solid goalie.

[kehatch]

I seriously doubt Burke is going to allow the team to go into next season without some insurance in net. He will almost certainly bring on another goalie.

So let Berra walk, put Ortio back to the AHL for more development, and go with a tandem of Ramo and the new guy.

Berra isn't an NHL caliber goalie.

[schteve_d]

Will Ramo slot back in when he's back? Any update on when that may be?

[MrMastodonFarm]

In terms of goalies, nothing changes this year to next. Give Ramo and Berra another seasons as 1-2. put Ortio back in the AHL with possible spot duty in the NHL if the need arises, let Gillis get a 3rd year of College in.

[Gaskal]

Berra: Re-sign for one year, backup role with Flames
Ramo: Starter role with Flames
Ortio: Starter role with Heat, injury call up
Roy: Backup role with Heat

Joey Mac: Let walk if Gillies turns pro, or send to Alaska if he doesn't.
Gillies: Stays in Providence another year, or Alaska if he turns pro.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by kehatch

I seriously doubt Burke is going to allow the team to go into next season without some insurance in net. He will almost certainly bring on another goalie.

I agree with that but I think he might also let the GM decide that. Depending on Berra's play for the next little bit he might give him a one year deal, or trade him before the deadline or move his rights at the draft.

If he walks as a free agent though I bet he goes back to Switzerland or the KHL for a year or two

[kehatch]

People do realize we are talking about Brian Burke right? People do realize that Berra is statistically one of the worst goalies in the NHL (and the eye ball test agrees with the stats) right? People also realize that just a quick scan of the pending free agents shows five (even ten) goalies that are much better than Berra right? We also realize that Burke has already extended the players he wants to keep and Berra isn't on the list right?

Why in the heck would anyone believe that Burke is going to entertain going into next season with a Ramo/Berra combo again? I could be wrong. But Berra has failed the audition, there are much better options available, and Burke builds from the net out. I just don't see it.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by kehatch

People do realize we are talking about Brian Burke right? People do realize that Berra is statistically one of the worst goalies in the NHL (and the eye ball test agrees with the stats) right? People also realize that just a quick scan of the pending free agents shows five (even ten) goalies that are much better than Berra right? We also realize that Burke has already extended the players he wants to keep and Berra isn't on the list right?

Why in the heck would anyone believe that Burke is going to entertain going into next season with a Ramo/Berra combo again?

How many FA goalies are going to want to come here? Especially ones that will really be any sort of upgrade.

I think Burke has said he doesn't like our goaltending, and we all know he likes to build from the back end out, but unless there is a proven NHL calibre goaltender available that even wants to come here I think we could see Berra again. Definitely not in as prominent of a role as this year, and depending on Ortio's next few games and camp maybe Berra even starts off in Abbotsford. I just don't think we've seen the last of Reto quite yet.

Very well could be wrong that's just my take on it.