QOTD: What to do with Ortio after the doughnut?

[Vulcan]

I don't like the idea of trading a goalie right now. We only have the three in case of an injury and I don't have much faith in Thiessen to play in the NHL.

Having said that Hiller has looked awful lately. I think he's lost his confidence, he said he's been second guessing himself. Ramo has been maybe worse but I think that could be caused by him not getting enough playing time.

Ortio is the best we have right now, so I'd play him, he's earned it, right guys. Keep the three until Ortio stumbles or maybe send Ramo down on a conditioning stint when he's ready.

[polak]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Well, as long as Ramo is out it's not an issue.

Once he's back you have to send him down unless you have a trade in hand, or care to waive Hiller/Ramo and get no return when a team inevitably grabs him. Or unless you carry three goalies, which isn't a good plan.

Well if Ortio is playing well enough to make you second guess sending him down, then I think you deal with carrying three goalies or trading one of Hiller or Ramo. We can't afford to downgrade our goaltending simply cause one goalie returned.

I really doubt this will be an issue though. Ortio would have play miles ahead of the other two to make this a serious issue, in which case, we're laughing anyways!

[FlameZilla]

I'd be a bit worried about moving Ramo (or Hiller) at this point. What if one of them was injured & missed a significant amount of time? I'm not sure about Thiessen as a back-up in the NHL...

Ortio has earned another start though. Maybe roll with 3 goalies until the All Star break & re-evaluate then.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Every win is so crucial, would be very hard to justify not giving him the next start. Let him ride it till he stumbles

What I love is that the Ortio decision could very well be a sneak peak into the team's master plan for this season and the trade deadline.

They're not idiots. Ortio isn't a fluke he's had back to back stellar AHL seasons and now posted a shut out in a key Saturday night game in Vancouver. If they want a playoff spot you pretty much have to work him in.

If they are thinking development and next year (or two) then get him back down to finish what he started at the AHL level.

Will be telling.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Option E:

Plan the parade.

[GreenLantern2814]

Return Ortio for now. I would hope he can get the game Wednesday to show more of what he can do, but realistically, he shut out the Canucks. That says it all right there. The tandem of Hiller/Ramo is now on the clock - trade deadline is the latest I'm willing to give that duo. Beyond that point, Ortio should be up getting the lion's share of the work if he continues to play at a high level.

[DoubleF]

Wasn't Hiller supposed to be with us for about 2 years only? (Early season/preseason discussions)
Ramo seems to be injured a bit this year. Hiller took a few extra games because Ramo tweaked something (groin?) and this time around, a neck issue. Just bad luck for him.

I'm thinking Ramo stays. But if he doesn't, Hiller is gone too and we're bringing in a 1B. This is my guess for 2 year time span. No idea for trade deadline.

I'm on the send Ortio down this year camp as well.

[flambers]

I would return Ortio to AHL, once Ramo is healthy. However I would trade Ramo during the Trade Deadline.

Since Ramo is a pending UFA and I can't imagine the Flames will resign him

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Bingo

What I love is that the Ortio decision could very well be a sneak peak into the team's master plan for this season and the trade deadline.

They're not idiots. Ortio isn't a fluke he's had back to back stellar AHL seasons and now posted a shut out in a key Saturday night game in Vancouver. If they want a playoff spot you pretty much have to work him in.

If they are thinking development and next year (or two) then get him back down to finish what he started at the AHL level.

Will be telling.

For me, you have to go for a playoff spot. I'm not saying to make any trades that will compromise our future but we need to use what we have to be the best we can be otherwise we're tanking.

I guess it depends on Ortio's play and the Flames' success to see how it goes. If Ortio stumbles at any point send him down and if the Flames stumble, the trade deadline could be interesting. What I'm saying is it's too early to decide our strategy.

Of course though Treliving seems to have the thought that it never hurt any player to spend more time in the AHL, so Ortio could be gone as soon as Ramo is good to go, no matter how he does.

Than there was the other strategy when we had Irving on a yoyo string going up and down. Looking at the Adirondack schedule, they don't have another game until Saturday and than don't play again until the next Friday, so Ortio isn't missing much.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

If Minnesota was willing to discuss the possibility of their first being on the table for Hiller (caveat if they fail to make the playoffs, then the pick is their 2016 1st instead), I would jump at that.

Hiller will never command a first round pick. You're probably hoping for a third rounder at best out of Hiller or Ramo.

[Erick Estrada]

Ortio was great on Saturday much like last year when called up but the more he played the more it became apparent he still needed seasoning in the AHL. I feel that would probably be the case here but I wouldn't have any issues riding him until he loses. He will be backing up Hiller sooner or later though and it's just a matter of time until Ramo is either traded or gone in free agency. Ramo is a very good backup goaltender but he's not a starting NHL goaltender and seeing he's an upcoming UFA it's a no-brainer that he's the odd man out as the Flames aren't going to trade Hiller and risk having no experienced goaltenders on the roster.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Hiller will never command a first round pick. You're probably hoping for a third rounder at best out of Hiller or Ramo.

Reto Berra got us a 2nd. From the right team, we get a 2nd for either Ramo or Hiller.

[Flame19,289]

Adirondack doesn't play again until Saturday (17-Jan), and then not again after that until the following Friday (23-Jan). So there's certainly no rush to get him back to Adirondack.

I'd like to see Ortio play again on Thursday against Arizona and then send him back after the game (provided that Ramo is cleared to play by then).

I feel that it would benefit Ortio's career the most with him finishing out the full season in the AHL getting 85% of the starts, as opposed to splitting duties with Hiller or Ramo in Calgary.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Reto Berra got us a 2nd. From the right team, we get a 2nd for either Ramo or Hiller.

Lets trade one of them to the Avs again.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Reto Berra got us a 2nd. From the right team, we get a 2nd for either Ramo or Hiller.

Sure, but you simply cannot count on NHL GMs to make stupid, arrogant decisions like Roy did. Nobody is very likely to give up a second rounder on a stop gap in net. Not for one that appears to be a career backup, or for another that fell out of favour in Anaheim and would be implied to have fallen out of favour in Calgary the next year.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Keep playing Ortio so you get a large sample size of his abilities.

Then trade Ramo to the Avs for a 2nd if Ortio shows that he's ready

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

For me, you have to go for a playoff spot. I'm not saying to make any trades that will compromise our future but we need to use what we have to be the best we can be otherwise we're tanking.

I guess it depends on Ortio's play and the Flames' success to see how it goes. If Ortio stumbles at any point send him down and if the Flames stumble, the trade deadline could be interesting. What I'm saying is it's too early to decide our strategy.

Of course though Treliving seems to have the thought that it never hurt any player to spend more time in the AHL, so Ortio could be gone as soon as Ramo is good to go, no matter how he does.

Than there was the other strategy when we had Irving on a yoyo string going up and down. Looking at the Adirondack schedule, they don't have another game until Saturday and than don't play again until the next Friday, so Ortio isn't missing much.

Almost wish the Flames would just go on a big streak one way or the other and get things more figuered out. Winning would be the huge preference of course, but holding in 9th until the trade deadline will make things pretty cloudy.

[Enoch Root]

I can never understand why people seem to think that they have to make decisions for the entire season right now. It is okay to use the time you've got and see how things play out.

1) he just had a shutout and deserves another game
2) Adirondack plays 1 game in the next 11 days - they won't miss him and he won't miss anything there
3) staying up and practicing with the team for a while is good for him
4) they have room on the 23 man roster right now to keep him up for a bit

Conclusion: keep him for the road trip, start him in Phx, and see how it goes.

What if he goes on a tear? And impresses everyday at practice? Bam - you have improved the team and can trade one of the other guys.

If (more likely) things go normally, you send him down in 10 days after giving him time to hang out and practice with the team, get some NHL experience, and get a nice paycheque.

[GioforPM]

Hiller > Ramo or Berra as far as expected return. He's a proven NHL goalie, he's under contract at a decent price. He's a decent backup on any team, and a starter on a couple. Ramo is a UFA so, a rental at best. I agree the Berra return was stupidly awesome, but Hiller should get you something good in return.

That said, his value is higher at the deadline than now.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Almost wish the Flames would just go on a big streak one way or the other and get things more figuered out. Winning would be the huge preference of course, but holding in 9th until the trade deadline will make things pretty cloudy.

Totally agree. I am hoping that they either go on a tear on this trip and take at least 6 of the 8 points, or (much less preferably) lose all 4.

Obviously, playoffs would be better. But hanging around in the 9/10 spot doesn't accomplish much of anything, or allow them to make decisions.

Get hot and get back into the race. Or fall to 11/12th and refocus on long-term development. Crap or get off the pot.