[GDT] Anaheim Ducks @ Calgary Flames (SN West)

[FBI]

This demotion for Brodie maybe will help him stop turning it over in the D zone lately..

[kukkudo]

Originally Posted by 868904

Mike Smith could win every game from here to the end and some of you would still want Rittich to start in the playoffs.

Some of you just want to be able to say "I told you so" when Smith gives up a bad goal or the Flames lose.

Smith is deserving of the continued starts because he is playing well. Not much else to it. Doesn't mean the Flames don't think Rittich is the long term guy. Doesn't mean the Flames intend on re-signing Smith.

No he doesn't. I like Smith but he can easily get injured playing a bunch consecutive games. I want both goalies to be ready for the playoffs.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Doesn't matter. He is in his second season in the NHL and spent a full season learning last season learning the NHL game. I am not sure why other teams can give goalies a chance and run with them but not the Flames with a 26 year old goalie?

Rittich has already played more NHL games this season than he has in the AHL in either of his two years there. You don't think this matters? You don't think Rittich has been given a chance this year?

[puckedoff]

Points matter, home ice advantage matters, need to ride the hot hand and right now that is Smith.

[Yoho]

If Smith is who the Flames will run with the rest of the way, by all means please stay away from going after Stone.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Rittich has already played more NHL games this season than he has in the AHL in either of his two years there. You don't think this matters? You don't think Rittich has been given a chance this year?

Personally, I think the only reason he has been given a chance is because Smith played really bad and Peters has been forced to play him. Smith allows many crappy goals and gets to stay in the game. Rittich allows two goals in San Jose and is pulled. Rittich wins a few games but we get to see Smith play while Smith is enjoying his "win streak".

No, I don't think Rittich has been given a fair chance this year. I think he has been the better of the two goalies this season and at this point, should be the starting goalie.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Points matter, home ice advantage matters, need to ride the hot hand and right now that is Smith.

As some posters have mentioned in this thread, he is not necessarily "hot". His play is satisfactory and the team in front of him (i.e. depth) has been potting goals.

[Robbob]

Smith has been playing really well. His play with the puck was a reason the Flames completely stifled the Islanders. Maybe Rittch is struggling in practice, who knows. I think the coaching staff knows what they are doing.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Personally, I think the only reason he has been given a chance is because Smith played really bad and Peters has been forced to play him. Smith allows many crappy goals and gets to stay in the game. Rittich allows two goals in San Jose and is pulled. Rittich wins a few games but we get to see Smith play while Smith is enjoying his "win streak".

No, I don't think Rittich has been given a fair chance this year. I think he has been the better of the two goalies this season and at this point, should be the starting goalie.

Right. That explains the indignation, but this is hardly unusual behaviour. Coaches will typically give veterans a longer leash while also working to protect and shelter their young players. We don't know everything that goes into Peters's decision making for choosing a starter, but I am sure it amounts to more than just picking the guy with the best numbers every game.

[Angelino]

That Brodie-Prout pairing on the bottom looks like it could be quite an adventure!

[djsFlames]

Andersson promotion and Brodie demotion is deserved.

Flames have looked more defensively sound the last two with limited to no Brodie ice time. He can earn it back with better play, closer to his first half.

[sixpacked]

Originally Posted by FBI

This demotion for Brodie maybe will help him stop turning it over in the D zone lately..

One would hope so.

[Robbob]

Brodie is nursing an upper body injury, I think this is managing his time with Klyington also on the shelf

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Personally, I think the only reason he has been given a chance is because Smith played really bad and Peters has been forced to play him. Smith allows many crappy goals and gets to stay in the game. Rittich allows two goals in San Jose and is pulled. Rittich wins a few games but we get to see Smith play while Smith is enjoying his "win streak".

No, I don't think Rittich has been given a fair chance this year. I think he has been the better of the two goalies this season and at this point, should be the starting goalie.

This is where we hit extremes again.

Rittich is young and relatively unproven. To think they'd start the year with anyone other than Smith as a starter is naive. To think they'd then move away from Smith after a bad week or month is insane. Do that and Rittich falters and your season is lost.

So they manage it. Smith keeps struggling so they turn it into a tandem in November, and Rittich starts getting more starts than Smith in January.

Rittich hits a funk in February, Smith wins a few and they're going hot hand.

It's not a conspiracy.

[SuperMatt18]

Plus not like Rittich was very good in training camp and out right won the job.

None of our goalies were good in camp and really Rittich won the job by default of just being less bad than Gillies was and requiring waivers to be sent down.

[dissentowner]

I don't give a rats patooti who starts in goal, just keep winning.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Just keep playing Smith until he loses.

Goaltending is all about confidence, Rittich has had it for most of the season. We should be happy that Smith is gaining his confidence back, hopefully it's for the rest of the season.

[Benched]

We're obviously showcasing Smith for trades.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Personally I am expecting a couple vintage Smith stinkers tonight as the Ducks typically have our number. Still think Rittich is the better option overall.

Either way lets see our boys pulverize the ducks with unceasing mercilessness.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Bingo

This is where we hit extremes again.

Rittich is young and relatively unproven. To think they'd start the year with anyone other than Smith as a starter is naive. To think they'd then move away from Smith after a bad week or month is insane. Do that and Rittich falters and your season is lost.

So they manage it. Smith keeps struggling so they turn it into a tandem in November, and Rittich starts getting more starts than Smith in January.

Rittich hits a funk in February, Smith wins a few and they're going hot hand.

It's not a conspiracy.

You're right, the Flames starting the season with Smith is a no brainer considering the situation.

However, I struggle with how you are claiming Rittich is now in a "funk" while sporting similar figures as Smith over the last handful of games? I don't think Smith having two good games against anemic teams like Florida and Arizona should constitute a hot hand label.

His other two games during this run against better opposition proved his play is still far below average. At worst he should still be splitting starts until he puts a legitimate run of high quality starts together (like Rittich did for 3+ months). From what I've seen this year, Rittich at his worst is not much different than what many are saying is Smith's "return to form".