What's next for the Flames?

[Enoch Root]

I am indifferent between Ramo and Hiller. Neither is good enough for a contender (not saying we are, but are trying to get there).

We need an upgrade in net. Plain and simple.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I am indifferent between Ramo and Hiller. Neither is good enough for a contender (not saying we are, but are trying to get there).

We need an upgrade in net. Plain and simple.

This is my feeling too.

On the other hand, goalies have ups and downs. All we need is a good stretch from one of them at the right time. Both Rämö and Hiller are capable of that, especially behind an improved defense.

It's also possible we have that upgrade already in Ortio.

[Chonger]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Wow the love affair with Ramo is interesting. He was the worst goalie out of the two last year. Who the heck knows what happens with him next year too. At least with Hiller I;m comfortable saying we'll at the very least get much of the same thing we did last year. Better goaltending than Ramo provided.

With Ramo I find his style too unpredictable to feel like he can raise it up a level or even provide similar consistency than he did last year or just fall right off the cliff.
I was perfectly happy rolling inot next season with Hiller Ortio if they couldn't land anyone in the trade market, bringing Ramo back in is kind of a head scratcher to me.

It's more hedging their bet on Ortio than anything.

I'll be honest, I have less faith in Ramo coming up with similar or better numbers than he did last year than I do Hiller. Will be a fascinating couple of months heading into camp and an even more interesting Main camp to watch unfold.

Sounds like you prefer Hiller to Ramo. I feel the opposite. Words, words, some more words, some time wasted and its all been said before. #bindardundat

[Vinny01]

I would love the Flames to cap off their summer trading for JVR

[Caged Great]

I could see them dealing Raymond to a team lacking depth for a late pick (5th). They may also deal Hiller between now and camp. We'll see.

[Vinny01]

I feel the Flames have responded much better the summer after their "bucking the advanced stats season" than either Toronto or Colorado did.

The Leafs snuck in the playoffs and lost in round 1 game 7. Next summer they sign Clarkson and trade for Bolland. those moves did not really help the Leafs and they fell back down to earth the next year and are in full scale rebuilding mode.

Colorado went in a weird direction. They won their division and lost in game 7 first round. They swapped Parenteau for Briere, let Statsny go and signed Iginla instead. Lastly they addressed their weak blueline acquiring 35 year old Brad Stuart. The Avs didn't make the playoffs but still were a 90pt team and still have several young pieces. They added another graybeard in Beauchiman this summer and have a weird roster of players in their early 20's and several in their mid-late 30's.

The Flames snuck into the playoffs last year but also won their first round matchup with the Canucks while their best player watched from the press box. Obviously I think they have responded perfectly this offseason. To avoid regression and to move the rebuild forward they trade draft picks for a 22 year old stud D who should help immensely. They also added a solid 27 year old utility winger that also was a need. Lastly the Flames are adding an elite prospect to their lineup something that neither the Leafs or Avs had in their cupboard the year after their "fluke" seasons. I feel Hamilton, Frolik, and Bennett along with Gio's return will help Calgary avoid the regression many predicted we will have next year

[getbak]

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

No need to get another goalie, trade Hiller for assets.

This might be tough with many teams set in net. Only opportunity may be to take a g back from a team with an asset. Teams that may be interested:

Edm
Wpg
Stl
Tor (only if they've soured on Reimer and want him gone or if Bernier is completely unreasonable and they want to pressure him to settle)

May require a third team to take a Scrivens/Hutchinson/Elliott/Reimer as a backup. Or we bury one of these guys in Stockton and may explain why we haven't signed a minor league g yet. Alternatively, maybe they will look at dealing Ortio if the return is high (like a Berra type return).

Regardless let's hope it gets resolved soon so we don't have to constantly check back over the summer to see if there has been a move made.

[Mony]

Count me in as another person who doesn't want to trade Hiller and have Ramo. I understand that Hiller lets in those soft, deflating goals right at the start of the game and such, and he does have a tendency to fumble pucks and have big brainfarts. But his numbers are actually better. Flamesnation has an article on this, I'll link to it when I'm not on my phone - one telling point of it noted that Hiller actually makes more saves than is expected of him with certain shots, Ramo actually doesn't make as many as he should. I'll admit that I feel a lot more calm when Ramo is in net and Hiller does scare me sometimes when he's having one of his nights, but in the end he produces the better results. And I love Ramo's style in goal, I really do with all the flashy saves, the athleticism, but I think it tells us he's out of position a lot of the time. Like I said I'll link when I'm not on my phone. And if we can somehow find a way to offload Raymond and Bollig for assets that'd be nice.

edit: link

[Da_Chief]

Sign Fehr and trade out Stajan. Better 3rd line C who can win FO's on consistent basis. Size player too.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Sign Fehr and trade out Stajan. Better 3rd line C who can win FO's on consistent basis. Size player too.

That's playing Russian Roulette with team chemistry for a move that really doesn't make much difference