[Signing] Flames sign Berra

[Calgary4LIfe]

Will be interesting to see how the Flames manage the goalies next season.

Assuming Kipper is traded, do they re-sign MacDonald? I would assume Irving is done with the organization. One of Taylor/Brust will not be re-signed as well, I am guessing. Camp will have:

Brossoit
Ortio
Ramo
Berra
Taylor
Possibly MacDonald ('safety' re-sign, in a world of unknowns)

Gillies will not be at the camp unless he decides to turn pro, which is doubtful. Better for him to go back to the NCAA and have a go as Team USA's netminder in the under 20's.

Anyone - even Brossoit - can just come in and 'steal' the job I think. Will also be interesting to note how long they keep it as well, once they steal it.

[Dagger]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

and Kipper was a third string goalie for the Sharks at one stage.

I'm not sure why people are so against teams taking such minor risks as a friggin' contract spot.

Kiprusoff was still regarded fairly highly despite having a bumpy start to his career. He was stuck behind an elite netminder in Nabokov and a young guy that stepped in and played well(Toskala).

This is completely different. With Berra signing with us so quickly, it obviously wasn't the player not agreeing to come over and play in the NHL. To me, it says a lot that a struggling Blues team wouldn't give him a look, instead signing guys like Conklin, Chris Mason, an over the hill Manny Legace, and Brian Elliot coming off a 3+ GAA and .890 sv percentage. And they showed they had no problem looking at guys like Bishop and Allen during the same stretch, who were/are much more raw than Berra.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by drPepper1

Kipper is gonna end up carrying the leafs to the finals and will be kicking ourselves for the crummy return we get

Then we attach a condition where if they get to the Finals, the Flames get their first rounder. If not, we get a 3rd or something.

[HotHotHeat]

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.

This is flawed logic. Stats don't tell the whole story in the case of goalies. Danny Taylor had been at or best the top of the AHL during his time with the Heat, and look how that turned out.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Dagger

Kiprusoff was still regarded fairly highly despite having a bumpy start to his career. He was stuck behind an elite netminder in Nabokov and a young guy that stepped in and played well(Toskala).

This is completely different. With Berra signing with us so quickly, it obviously wasn't the player not agreeing to come over and play in the NHL. To me, it says a lot that a struggling Blues team wouldn't give him a look, instead signing guys like Conklin, Chris Mason, an over the hill Manny Legace, and Brian Elliot coming off a 3+ GAA and .890 sv percentage. And they showed they had no problem looking at guys like Bishop and Allen during the same stretch, who were/are much more raw than Berra.

Apparently, Berra had no interest in coming to NA. Only recently (before the trade - not to say this trade had a factor in his decision at all) did he suddenly make it known he wants to come to NA. Fans on other forums have stated as much as well, saying he didn't ever want to come over, and that they didn't even know he was still part of their organization at all.

[ramizle]

Not sure if this was posted.

"A big Goaltender with good lateral movement, who thanks to his size takes a lot away from the net. Has good athleticism, decent reflexes and never gives up on a shot. Is able to play at his best in crucial situations and can steal games. (by Rafik Soliman – April, 2013)"

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11986

[Hells Bells]

Berra's numbers in 11-12 were pretty solid.

Looking at his stats, he seems to play pretty good in International play.. is this from the Spengler Cup?

[BurningSteel]

did I miss the NTC/NMC??

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Berra is/was a backup in the Swiss B division who is known for not being able to win the big game. Sounds promising.

"second best goalie outside the NHL'

So that means there are about 60 goalies better than him. LOL

The fact that in the middle of trade season Feaster would prioritize this tells me everything I need to know about the Flames.

Brutal

Originally Posted by ramizle

Not sure if this was posted.

"A big Goaltender with good lateral movement, who thanks to his size takes a lot away from the net. Has good athleticism, decent reflexes and never gives up on a shot. Is able to play at his best in crucial situations and can steal games. (by Rafik Soliman – April, 2013)"

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11986

Sorry Ramizle, but Elite Prospects is obviously trolling you. Badger's Nose has already provided the CP Scouting Report.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Taylor is a very very good AHL goalie. I'd even say an elite AHL goalie. I think he'd be an awesome teacher for Laurent.

I would say I hope Berra/Ramo can also be a elite AHL goalie too, to cover the loss of Taylor.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Then we attach a condition where if they get to the Finals, the Flames get their first rounder. If not, we get a 3rd or something.

Feaster: Deal. You get Kipper, we get a third round pick. But on one condition -- if the Leafs get to the Finals, that pick turns into a first rounder.

Nonis: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH... Finals... Bahahahahahahahahaha..... when pigs fly and Dion Phaneuf plays some defence...

Feaster: << speechless >>

Nonis: Oh, you were serious.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Feaster: Deal. You get Kipper, we get a third round pick. But on one condition -- if the Leafs get to the Finals, that pick turns into a first rounder.

Nonis: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH... Finals... Bahahahahahahahahaha..... when pigs fly and Dion Phaneuf plays some defence...

Feaster: << speechless >>

Nonis: Oh, you were serious.

If you're going to do these, make them funny. It is possible.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Feaster: Deal. You get Kipper, we get a third round pick. But on one condition -- if the Leafs get to the Finals, that pick turns into a first rounder.

Nonis: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH... Finals... Bahahahahahahahahaha..... when pigs fly and Dion Phaneuf plays some defence...

Feaster: << speechless >>

Nonis: Oh, you were serious.

Yeah, I don't see what's so wrong about what I said. In fact, I don't think it's all that farfetched.

If Kipper takes them to the Finals, a first-round pick shouldn't be a problem to hand over.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Will be interesting to see how the Flames manage the goalies next season.

Assuming Kipper is traded, do they re-sign MacDonald? I would assume Irving is done with the organization. One of Taylor/Brust will not be re-signed as well, I am guessing. Camp will have:

Brossoit
Ortio
Ramo
Berra
Taylor
Possibly MacDonald ('safety' re-sign, in a world of unknowns)

Gillies will not be at the camp unless he decides to turn pro, which is doubtful. Better for him to go back to the NCAA and have a go as Team USA's netminder in the under 20's.

Anyone - even Brossoit - can just come in and 'steal' the job I think. Will also be interesting to note how long they keep it as well, once they steal it.

I am not sure Ortio will be in Flames plan at all. I really like Brossoit, Gillies combo as a future goaltender. Ramo been talked about here a lot the way we talked about Sven Baertschi and Backlund before they turned pro. I hope Ramo will deliver when he comes in and play for the Flames; otherwise we will be seeing the late 90's Flames all over again. I still don't know much about Berra to comment about him.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Yeah, I don't see what's so wrong about what I said. In fact, I don't think it's all that farfetched.

If Kipper takes them to the Finals, a first-round pick shouldn't be a problem to hand over.

You made a lot of sense, Pierre. It's unwelcome.

[keenan87]

Good signing. I think he and Ramo might surprise a lot of people.

[devo22]

I posted this in the trade thread, but I guess it belongs here as well. From what I hear, stats don't tell the whole story on Berra, as his team isn't exactly a great team.

Originally Posted by devo22

asked a Swiss guy I know from a German hockey board about Berra. Says he thinks that Feaster's "best outside the NHL" phrase is an exaggeration, but he is pretty high on Berra. Says he thinks he's the best goalie in the Swiss league and the sole reason for Biel even reaching the playoffs and not being destroyed there. Says stats don't tell the whole story because Biel is a bad team defensively. Says Berra pulls off highlight saves on a regular basis, though not sure what he can do on NA ice. Says he's a good character guy, down to earth.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Yeah, I don't see what's so wrong about what I said. In fact, I don't think it's all that farfetched.

If Kipper takes them to the Finals, a first-round pick shouldn't be a problem to hand over.

Leafs + Stanley Cup finals = Joke

I obviously failed

[Flame Of Liberty]

Good, now best defenseman not in the NHL please.

Appreciate that Feaster is committed to picking top 3 next year as well.

[89loobjob]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Good, now best defenseman not in the NHL please.

Appreciate that Feaster is committed to picking top 3 next year as well.

Yeah, I'd be okay with a few guys that are actually currently doing well in the NHL