[News] Flames claim Joey MacDonald

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Jake

I guess I'm in the minority when I think the Flames could have gone without MacDonald. Kipper is only two weeks away and Irving has been decent. Good enough to win against Columbus, they wouldn't have won the Canucks game no matter who was in net, and he only allowed 1 goal last night.

We're at game 10, not "mid-season", and the Flames have used two of their three remaining contracts on goalies. We just lost a lot of that "mid-season flexibility".

38 games left. Midway point of the season is going to be on you like a photon the instant it comes into existence

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Well then, I stand corrected.

That must be one big 'database'

What size do you imagine most 'databases' are?

[Ring of Fire]

MacDonald said in his interview that he had played with 7 or 8 of his new teammates before joining the Flames. I was curious as to who. Here are his former teammates on the Flames:

-Tanguay (Halifax Mooseheads 97/98)
-Hudler (Grand Rapids 03-06, Detroit Red Wings 06/07, 10-12)
-Wideman (Boston 06-07 - also possible Weisbrod connection)
-Jackman (Bridgeport 07/08, NY Islanders 07-09)
-Comeau (Bridgeport 07/08, NY Islanders 07-09)
-Stajan (Toronto 09/10)
-Stempniak (Toronto 09/10)

Heat Players
-Kolanos (Grand Rapids 06/07)
-Estoclet (Grand Rapids 11/12)

He seems pretty familar with a lot of the Flames organization and could be a good dressing room guy comfortable with a backup role behind Kipper.

On an unrelated note, I am very curious as to who else is on the Flames' "Acquire by trade if possible" list.

[Goodlad]

^nice digging

[Vulcan]

I can see acquiring a vet like McDonald as Kippers backup is maybe a better choice than a young developing guy like Irving. Irving still needs game time to gain experience so he can improve whereas McDonald is a what you see is what you get and maybe more able to go into games cold after sitting for weeks.

Irving, had of already gone on waivers when there was little chance of him being picked up can now go down and back up from the AHL with no problems (I believe). The only problem with this logic is that he won't get ice time in the AHL either with Ward coaching.

Personally, I hope Irving wins this new battle for backup and presses Kipper for ice time.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

At that rate we'd hardly ever have a rookie make the team. Young players need a chance to play and grow so by the end of the season they are better than the vet.

I agree on giving the young guys a chance. Well people are already giving up on Irving and so far he only played 3 1/3 of the game. Most of the people that are giving up on him are basing the old stat. I think this is the best time to give Irving a lot of games so he can gain more experience. Also give the young guy like Byron, Horak and others like Reinhart some playing time while Sven, Backlund and Cammy are still out of the lineup. We need to start sitting out Comeau who hasn't done anything.