[Signing] Flames sign Berra

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Anyone else looking forward to life without Kipper? Don't get me wrong, love they guy, far and away the best goalie in Flames history, but with Iggy gone we really need to turn the page on this franchise. Really looking forward to what Ramo/Berra can bring next year. Their overseas success may not translate to the NHL but at least we get to see if these trades paid off for Feaster until Gillies/Brossoit are ready to take over.

I'm not going to count Kipper out until some fat person sings!!!

[drPepper1]

Wasn't Gustavasson the best goalie outside of the NHL few years back?

[kipperfan]

Maybe I'm way off here, but should the "best goaltender not in the NHL" not be dominating the Swiss league? I mean really, what is that, the 4th, maybe 5th best league in the world..? And Berra is nowhere close (statistically anyways) to being near the top of that league...but he is the "best goaltender outside the NHL"?

I have to seriously doubt that.

[Savvy27]

The Flames goaltending will be like Highlander. There can only be one and they will start with Ramo and Berra, to see who emerges. 2014-15 bring over Ortio and let him battle with whoever the starter is. Then Brossoit can take a shot. Followed by Gillies coming out of the NCAA.

Hopefully, by the time the Flames have developed their skaters into a competitive franchise, one or more of these goalies will have emerged as a starter.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by FAN

I feel like it will be a long season and should consider flying to Philadelphia in June.

I take it Philly is where the 2014 draft is held. Drafts are going to be the most exciting thing for the flames in the next 2 years.

Where is draft this year? That would be worth a flight considering all 3 1st round picks will be done on Friday night. This upcoming draft could be the most important draft in the history of the flames. They could walk off with 3 franchise players if they scout well.

Do they sell beer at the drafts?

[Muffins]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Maybe I'm way off here, but should the "best goaltender not in the NHL" not be dominating the Swiss league? I mean really, what is that, the 4th, maybe 5th best league in the world..? And Berra is nowhere close (statistically anyways) to being near the top of that league...but he is the "best goaltender outside the NHL"?

I have to seriously doubt that.

I believe someone mentioned earlier that the team in front of him is pretty terrible and he's one of the few reasons they made the playoffs.

[mac_82]

So Irving is a RFA, Taylor a UFA, and MacDonald a UFA after this year. And Brust is a UFA as well I believe.

It will be interesting to see if we keep any of these guys around.

[oldschoolcalgary]

i think Feaster's issue is that he tends to be overly hyperbolic about some players...

you like him and think he has potential. period. All this talk of 'best player/goalie outside of the NHL' makes him look a little silly when it doesn't turn out...

[NewFan]

At least Sven got his countryman.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by drPepper1

Wasn't Gustavasson the best goalie outside of the NHL few years back?

these older Europeans are like college free agents - a bit of a crap shoot. Hoping for Hiller, or Backstrom, but you may get Karlsson or Gustavsson. Bring in two of them, Ramo and Berra, and hope one of them pans out

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

i think Feaster's issue is that he tends to be overly hyperbolic about some players...

you like him and think he has potential. period. All this talk of 'best player/goalie outside of the NHL' makes him look a little silly when it doesn't turn out...

Can't faulth the guy for trying to put make up on a donkey's face. Not that i think Berra will end up being a bust but he's not doing his job if he isn't hyping up the new players coming into the system.

[Flash Walken]

Looks like the Calgary Tower.

[The Swedish Flame]

If you wanted to burn the house down, it's starting to look promising.

Kipper's probably on the phone ordering the Uhaul right now.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by Muffins

I believe someone mentioned earlier that the team in front of him is pretty terrible and he's one of the few reasons they made the playoffs.

Having experience playing behind a defensively terrible team should come in handy for him next season.

[timbit]

Yogi, his great grandfather, had a great catching glove.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by liamenator

I don't mind this strategy at all. Developing goaltenders is such a crap shoot, might as well acquire some guys that are a bit further along and give them a shot. Most of the time they'll wind up being Karlssons, but it sure would be nice if we struck gold and Ramo or Berra turned out to be a Hiller or Fasth.

Ya but those guys came for free and they weren't penciled in to start the year in the NHL.

If Berra turned out to be Hiller, he would be eligible to hit the market in a year as a UFA.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Can't faulth the guy for trying to put make up on a donkey's face. Not that i think Berra will end up being a bust but he's not doing his job if he isn't hyping up the new players coming into the system.

well, calling them the 'best' anything ends up looking silly...

i don't think dialing things down a little is a bad thing....especially considering he hasn't proven to be a NHL Nostradamus...

[Stay Golden]

Berra, Ramos In.
Taylor and Irving both RFA. One of them is gone for sure you would think.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Berra, Ramos In.
Taylor and Irving both RFA. One of them is gone for sure you would think.

Sounds like we got a couple of infielders coming in for Kipper.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

I think the hope is Ramo and Berra are our 1a and 1b maybe? Might be wishful thinking. However, if one or even both dont pan out MacDonald has shown himself to be more than a capable backup. Heck, he could probably be our starter for a year if need be while we figure out other options in net if neither goalie pans out.

Should be an interesting camp for goalies.