Do You Want Kipper Back Next Year? (not for purposes of trading him)

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Voted no because we need to start jettisoning some more veteran players for younger talent. Everyone knows that even IF Kipper comes back next year, he's not going to be a long term option for a good team. At best, he's a playoff rental who is probably not even in the top 5 anymore. Only a team who has serious goaltending issues would take a chance on him, and there aren't a lot of playoff teams who have that problem, if any. Therefore, the return we would get is next to nothing...maybe a middling prospect or a 4-7th round pick.

Honestly, I want to see guys like Ramo and Berra get an honest shot to play and see if they have what it takes. With Kipper around along WITH MacDonald they would never get more than 10 games to play and it isn't a large enough sample size to evaluate. Plus, as much as Hartley has been playing Kipper this year, he wouldn't be worth it to the team's success of challenging for a playoff spot.

Here's what I see happening in the goaltending department next year:
-Competitive goaltending camp where Ramo, MacDonald, and Berra all challenge for the 2 jobs in Calgary.
-One of those three is in Abbotsford to start the year with Brossoit.
-The remaining two split the time 60/40 depending on who gives them a better chance to win.
-If one of them plays poorly (like Irving this year poor), they send that guy down and bring up the other of the training camp 3.
-If they all fail (highly unlikely) we start really shopping around for another team's top goaltending prospect and make a trade for that guy, kinda like what Tampa Bay did this year with Bishop.

If Kipper returns, that scenario is totally screwed up and we a year behind in our "goalie of the future" quest.

[FlameZilla]

122 voters, 50/50 split. Amazing.

[DuffMan]

I'd like the good Kipper back. The other Kipper, not so much.

[Itse]

Had to read the thread before I knew which way to vote. Have to go with no.

Bringing him back is high risk - low reward. His level of play was not very good, and he is just very unlikely to be an elite goalie next year. Good or bad, we don't need to get one more year out of him, we need to move forward and start seriously looking for our next goalie. Having Kipper here runs a serious risk of setting us back.

Additionally, even if we would get the elite Kipper, I'm not sure that would be good for our team right now. I want our all the warts of our defense exposed and out there for everyone to see. I don't want an elite goalie that is not a part of our future hiding those problems.

And if he would have a really bad year, it would be just sad. This year still left us with some good memories. Let's leave it at that.

[Azhouse]

I think a goalie is allowed to have one off year and one injury in his career. I not only think that he should be around next year but they should entice him back by signing him to a $4 mil contract the following year . When he rebounds he would give a lineup full of rookies the best chance to win every night. It would be great for the confidence and would prevent an Oiler-esque decade long tank job.

After all that he has done I just can't believe the number of people who have turfed him so quickly. When the new #1 is letting in 3rd period softies with the game on the line we will be begging him to come back.

A resounding yes.

[Poe969]

I voted no for a few reasons. It doesn't seem like his heart is in it, this team is going no where fast and having Kipper steal us games just gets us another mid teens pick (we aren't making the playoffs next year), near 6 mill cap hit off the books lets us pick up other players as cap dumps with picks or lets us possibly sign a 1 year deal to a UFA and trade him at the deadline, he finnished (lol) his career with a great win and I don't want to remember him any other way and last but not least... It's time to move on.

[neo45]

Yes I'd love to have him back as the 1b goalie behind Ramo. Can't see it happening but it would be nice

[kirant]

Voted yes.

I do admit that he's one of my favourite players. I honestly feel the franchise, in all honesty, owes him. I would suspect we'd be talking about the Flames' 16th missed playoffs if it weren't for him carrying the '04 to '08 teams. He and Iginla brought the team out of perpetual mediocrity, even if it was just for an extra 4-7 games a year. If he wants back, then let him back.

If he's fine accepting what he is now, a declining goaltender who's going to have off nights and will give up the occasional soft goal, and is happy splitting games behind Ramo or whoever Feaster tries to bring in as a new starter, then I'm happy seeing him back. I don't suspect that the Flames will be a cap team anyways unless Murray Edwards overrules everyone somehow, so that 5.33 probably won't go to great use elsewhere.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Azhouse

I think a goalie is allowed to have one off year and one injury in his career. I not only think that he should be around next year but they should entice him back by signing him to a $4 mil contract the following year . When he rebounds he would give a lineup full of rookies the best chance to win every night. It would be great for the confidence and would prevent an Oiler-esque decade long tank job.

After all that he has done I just can't believe the number of people who have turfed him so quickly. When the new #1 is letting in 3rd period softies with the game on the line we will be begging him to come back.

A resounding yes.

One off year? He has been at the bottom of the league in save percentage four of the last six seasons. I know that is just a stat. But since that stat tells us how often he actually stops the puck I think it is pretty important.

[Rudee]

Nope. He had a terrible season. Seemed like his mind was elsewhere most of the season.

[REDVAN]

I voted no because it looks like his heart isn't in it this year- not saying it should have been, I know he had family stuff. So for that reason, no. Thanks for the memories Kipper you're the best goalie we've ever had and your dedication will never be forgotten.

Go Flames go.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

We had the best goalie not in the NHL a few years back. Henrick Karlsson. I don't think we can safely say Ramo and Berra aren't 'sure things'.

Don't believe that was ever said about Karlsson

[Alberta_Beef]

Definitely no. Not even a little bit.

He has never been good in a more open system, that is not suddenly going to change.

[Deegee]

I voted no because I think it's time to move on, not because I do not like Kipper, nor do I think we'll find a better goalie for awhile.

[Azhouse]

Originally Posted by kehatch

One off year? He has been at the bottom of the league in save percentage four of the last six seasons. I know that is just a stat. But since that stat tells us how often he actually stops the puck I think it is pretty important.

Just one man's opinion. I didn't realize until you mentioned it that Kipper has been so horrible 6 odd seasons. I am sure a potential Berra/ Macdonald tandem will knock 'em dead.

[Stay Golden]

Poll is closer than i thought. Yes re-sign Kipper for 1 more year or 2 years.
All depends if mentally and emotionally Kipper is still wanting to stay in the NHL.

[browna]

Will preface this buy saying I think 95% he's gone.

If this last year had been a regular offseason and pre-season, my guess is he doesn't get hurt, and, doesn't play so poorly before he gets hurt.

The Flames are then not likely in the position they are right now...a couple more wins earlier on, then not the indecision on trying to figure out what to do with Taylor, Irving, and shaking the rust off McDonlad, so an extra win here and there.

From that then, maybe Iginla and Bouwmester are kept etc etc as the Flames push for a playoff spot.

Far too many factors to figure out what could've been, but this guy can still play, wants to play and wants to play here.

I don't think Hartely has helped the situation (Kipper's, and, others to be honest)...if he's still around, then there's even less chance he'd be back.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Azhouse

Just one man's opinion. I didn't realize until you mentioned it that Kipper has been so horrible 6 odd seasons. I am sure a potential Berra/ Macdonald tandem will knock 'em dead.

Your opinion was knocking others opinion. Not saying there will be or should be a Ramo/Berra combo. But it is time to find our next starter.

Kipper was a low chance risk and look what that did for the franchise.

[Igster]

Nope. He had his time. It's done now. Time for the team to move forward. Why would the Flames want someone here if he is even a little on the fence about playing? You've been a great tender Kipper. Now it's time for some changes.

[pylon]

I love Kipper and feel bad for him. He is the last lonely soldier of his platoon left standing. But I truly feel if he is having any doubts, his heart isn't 100% in it. If that is the case, he needs to hang them up, and could you blame him? What a waste of what could have been a generational talent he was. He made the team look so much better than it really was for so many years. But if there ever was a time to do it, it is now. Instead of clinging to relics of the past, I am actually happy we didn't prolong the house cleaning, and basically took care of it in a matter of a couple months, instead of years.