Our preseason goaltending situation

[Fire]

Our future #1 goalie is Gilles. Ramo, Berra and McDonald are just filler until he arrives on the scene.

[Vulcan]

I like the way we're situated right now. MacDonald is insurance if Berra or Ramo can't handle the NHL. Throwing them to the wolves is a bad idea, goalies need to ease into the league.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Fire

Our future #1 goalie is Gilles. Ramo, Berra and McDonald are just filler until he arrives on the scene.

Gilles is 4-5 years away. Ramo and Berra are going to be given every opportunity this year to show what they got. If the Flames don't think either of them are future starters there is no chance they are going to wait 4-5 years for Gilles.

If neither Ramo or Berra show anything, look for the flames to trade for a starter or sign someone like Bryz in the off season. I hope one of them can show something because i don't want the flames spending assets on another goalie. Picking up Bryz would suck, but its better to have a goalie that the players won't talk to, but have trust in net, rather than a goalie they like, but can't stop a beach ball.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Rerun

...We should trade MacDonald and let Berra and Ramo fight it out for the first half of the season and then re-evaluate our goalie situation. Then if its not working out for either one of those two (hopefully its only one) then bring Ortio in for a go.

It's not that simple. Sure, Ramo has a handful of NHL games on his resume, but he has not played a game in North America for four full years. This is Berra's very first experience in the NHL. I might agree with this approach if one or two had been developing in the AHL for the past couple of years, but given the fact that BOTH Berra and Ramo will require several games (perhaps 20? 40?) to adjust, having a stabilising presence that a veteran like MacDonald provides is actually a really sensible idea. To that end, attempting to get a read on either Ramo or Berra in the preseason is also probably pretty futile. I expect that we won't see everything that either of them have to offer for at least a couple of months.

[Split98]

Gillies is far off, but what about Brossoit if these two don't pan out? He's the name that sticks out in my head whenever I think of our future star in net. Don't know why, he just does.

What's his potential looking like these days though?

[bax]

Originally Posted by Split98

Gillies is far off, but what about Brossoit if these two don't pan out? He's the name that sticks out in my head whenever I think of our future star in net. Don't know why, he just does.

What's his potential looking like these days though?

Still tons of potential for sure. He seems like he has a strong mental game, which is one of the hardest things for a goalie to develop. Also, I believe he was the most fit prospect at development camp. Still a few years off, but no reason to doubt him right now. Lets see how his first pro season goes.

[Freeway]

If Gillies has another strong year - and the goalie situation in Calgary doesn't stabilize - I wouldn't surprised if the Flames invite Gillies to turn pro ASAP.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Freeway

If Gillies has another strong year - and the goalie situation in Calgary doesn't stabilize - I wouldn't surprised if the Flames invite Gillies to turn pro ASAP.

Its a possibility, but the last thing the flames should do is rush him because they judged Ramo and Berra wrong.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Gilles is 4-5 years away. Ramo and Berra are going to be given every opportunity this year to show what they got. If the Flames don't think either of them are future starters there is no chance they are going to wait 4-5 years for Gilles.

If neither Ramo or Berra show anything, look for the flames to trade for a starter or sign someone like Bryz in the off season. I hope one of them can show something because i don't want the flames spending assets on another goalie. Picking up Bryz would suck, but its better to have a goalie that the players won't talk to, but have trust in net, rather than a goalie they like, but can't stop a beach ball.

I suspect Gillies to turn pro next season, maybe spend a season in the AHL before joining the Flames.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by bax

Still tons of potential for sure. He seems like he has a strong mental game, which is one of the hardest things for a goalie to develop. Also, I believe he was the most fit prospect at development camp. Still a few years off, but no reason to doubt him right now. Lets see how his first pro season goes.

Glad to hear it, I really like the kid. Interview and drive wise, he always ends up being my favourite in the interviews (which besides some Oil Kings games is all I've seen of him unfortunately). He does have the ability to make the jump next year though right?

Kinda cool if he does, gives a bit of hope still if Ramo or Berra don't pan out (instead of waiting 4-5 years for Gillies).

[Vulcan]

Meanwhile Irving gets extended for the full year for Jokerit in Helsinki.

google translate

, I'm excited that I get to continue here, because it will feel really good. Helsinki get acquainted with all the time, and the city seems more privileged position.

-I am trying to play well and leave everything on the ice. Here you have to be patient, to read the game and just let the puck come towards. Playing in Europe will definitely make me a better keeper.

-We have a very good team that might have deserved a little more credit than it has been received. I have been made to get a good full 60 minutes long up, and I try to just continue to help the team win.

http://translate.google.com/translat...F%3Fnid%3D2575

[moon]

Originally Posted by Split98

Glad to hear it, I really like the kid. Interview and drive wise, he always ends up being my favourite in the interviews (which besides some Oil Kings games is all I've seen of him unfortunately). He does have the ability to make the jump next year though right?

Very doubtful that Broissoit makes the jump to the NHL if that is what you mean but certainly could be an AHL guy next season.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

It's not that simple. Sure, Ramo has a handful of NHL games on his resume, but he has not played a game in North America for four full years. This is Berra's very first experience in the NHL. I might agree with this approach if one or two had been developing in the AHL for the past couple of years, but given the fact that BOTH Berra and Ramo will require several games (perhaps 20? 40?) to adjust, having a stabilising presence that a veteran like MacDonald provides is actually a really sensible idea.

I understand what you are saying but these two guys aren't 20 year old rookies just out of jr hockey. They're 26-27 year old pros. I say throw them in the deep end and see if they can swim. They're old enough and mature enough to know what it takes to become an NHL starter and lets see if they have the skill to do it.

Originally Posted by Textcritic

To that end, attempting to get a read on either Ramo or Berra in the preseason is also probably pretty futile. I expect that we won't see everything that either of them have to offer for at least a couple of months.

Agreed... which is why I said what I said. Give 'em both a decent chance to prove themselves. There really isn't any pressure to perform miracles. The team has just started a major rebuild and now is the perfect time for them. MacDonald is yesterday's news. Its time to turn the page.

[transplant99]

Pittsburgh will be looking for a G moving forward as Vokoun is out indefinately after undergoing a procedure to dissolve a blood clot in his pelvis today.

[herashak]

gillies is 2 years off imo.

[Poe969]

We should trade MacDonald to the Pens if they want him as a backup for Fleury. They need a goalie and I'd rather trade him than an unkown at this point.

[stemit14]

Look for the pens to go after Thomas if the panthers choose not to sign him.

[Poe969]

how funny would it be if they signed Bryz and he did well there

[Caged Great]

Honestly, if it wasn't for the NCAA eligibilty thing, I think Gillies would've won the starters spot this year. If the Ramo Berra Ortio experiment does not go well, I think Gillies will be convinced to join the Flames heading into next season. If one of them succeeds, then it won't be that big of a deal to wait a little longer.

He is the best of the goalies right now.

[Vinny01]

I won't be shocked if the Flames go after a goalie in the trade market. Likely Riemer if he becomes available. I don't have much faith in Berra or Ramo. Halak, Miller, Lundquivst are all UFA next year.

Also Burke did have Bryz in Anahiem so I could see him being an option this year which would be entertaining as heck