Goaltending going forward

[Henry Fool]

I don't know if they're riding Rämö or still just taking it game by game.

Both goalies have fought for wins admirably this season and should be given credit for that.

Next season is a mystery. Perhaps they can postpone those decisions and have them compete for spots then, but I don't know if that's realistic. I feel that whichever direction they go, they'll probably still be okay.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Unless Ortio becomes a waiver issue (and going to a one way does not mean he will, those things are un-related is my understanding) then bring back both until Ortio forces you to at least have him be in a 1a / 1b situation with whoever we keep.

When that happens, try and maximise value for either Ramo or Hiller, whenever that might be next season, regardless of how little or much that value is. I will admit, if there is one position that you need to "make a spot available" for a young player, goalie is that position, but still I don't think we need to make room for Ortio, let him take that space, and lets all hope and cheer for him doing so as quickly as possible next year. But until that happens, the Flames should assume he won't and move accordingly.

[dammage79]

2015/16 season Goaltending duo prediction:

Hiller
Ortio

I have a feeling Ramo's going to be asking for more than he'll be worth. Pricing himself out of CGY.

[RT14]

I hope they re-sign Ramo and trade Hiller in the off-season. Just reaching the prime age for goaltenders so could give us another 4 or 5 years of great goaltending whereas Hiller is reaching an age where he may start to decline, and I think Ramo is the better of the two right now anyways.

[Yanda]

Ortio shouldnt just be handed the backup role next season either. Always earned never given.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

This question is a tough one, purely from an asset management and talent point of view.

I personally like Hiller's style just a bit more than Ramo's. Hiller is a blocker, rather than an agile type goalie. You know what you get from a blocking goalie most nights, but they rarely have a spectacular night. If your defense around them is sound, blocking goalies are a great option. Here's the problem with Hiller though...he has holes in his game. His glove hand is very below-average (bordering on poor), and he's had trouble with shots from weird angles, which a blocking goalie should never let in IMO.

Ramo does have fantastic nights when his positioning is sound, meaning he doesn't lose his net. When he loses his net, he's downright awful, and he can take an extended period of time to find his positioning and confidence after one of those bad stretches. He's good for about 80% of his starts (just throwing an estimation out there), but that 80% isn't really good enough to be a bonafide #1 goaltender in the NHL. You need to be good 90+% of the time to be the #1. By good I mean no bad goals against (make the easy saves), and make a few tough saves (read as: not automatic...not necessarily mind-blowing). I just don't know if you can expect that from Ramo, even though he's still relatively young for a goalie.

Ortio has shown brilliance in his stint this year, and clear progression from last year. If he comes into camp anywhere close to how he's played this year, I think he could possibly take the starting job. He might not get it right out of camp, but he'll likely play himself into the starter's role at some point next year assuming only one of Ramo or Hiller are still with the team.

I can't call who would be the better option going forward between Ramo and Hiller, but you if you sign Ramo, you then have the ability to trade Hiller to a team like Buffalo or another team who badly needs some stability in net and get a decent asset in return (possibly one of Buffalo's later 1st round picks?). Then go with Ramo/Ortio for next year, see how it shakes out, and plunk Gillies in the AHL to develop.

If you let Ramo go for nothing, then you have Hiller and Ortio as options for next year (about the same), but you lose Ramo as an asset for nothing. You might still get something for Hiller if you decide to trade him at the deadline next year, but there still has to be a market for him and I doubt it's better than it is right now.

I think it's safe to say that neither are the long term solution in net, so really it's about maintaining a competitive roster going forward, and getting the best possible return on investment from each player. I'd rather gamble on Ramo over Hiller for performance reasons, but also because it makes sense from an asset management standpoint.

[Huntingwhale]

I think having Ortio signed to a 1 way next season was a great move by management. It pretty much puts the writing on the wall to both guys and says Ortio is here to stay next season, prove to us you deserve the second spot. The competition between Ramo and Hiller has worked out great this season. Both are pretty equal. Ramo I think is more athletic and has better rebound control. Hiller is better positionally. Both let in the occasional softie. Both can steal you a game. Fantastic problem to have, with Ortio looking to be better then both down the road. If it was up to me I'd keep Ramo just because he is Finnish and he lets in fewer bad ones. But I'm fine with either.

What I do think is sad is that one of them is on the way out and I could see the Oilers making a strong push for whomever that is. Either one of those guys in Oiler's threads is gag-inducing.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by dammage79

2015/16 season Goaltending duo prediction:

Hiller
Ortio

I have a feeling Ramo's going to be asking for more than he'll be worth. Pricing himself out of CGY.

I kind of hope Ramo does price himself out and get a starting gig elsewhere. It would make CGYs decision much easier and would be a feel good story for him.

Mediocre NHL results as a young goalie, a few years in the KHL, gets another NHL shot and makes good with it, ends up with a nice pay day and maybe a starter's role.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by dammage79

2015/16 season Goaltending duo prediction:

Hiller
Ortio

I have a feeling Ramo's going to be asking for more than he'll be worth. Pricing himself out of CGY.

Baring some heroics down the stretch and / or some elite level performance on an extended Flames playoff run, not sure how much leverage Ramo will have in negotiations with any team this offseason.

He's still very much a gamble for any team at this point that he is a true #1 in the NHL, although he's likely proven he can be a solid back up. Still, I'd be shocked if his best offer comes from anywhere outside of Calgary, given they likely have the most confidence in what he's capable of moving forward.

[heep223]

I actually don't really have a preference. As has been stated, they have very different styles with the same result. Pretty good usually, occasionally let in really soft goals, occasionally steal games. They're both average goalies in the league IMO.

So, with that said, let Ramo go. Hiller will provide better mentorship for Ortio due to his experience and has a steadier hand for when Ortio does falter.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Yanda

Ortio shouldnt just be handed the backup role next season either. Always earned never given.

Depends. If this means, sign a goalie you don't need just for the sake of not "giving" your prospect a spot and then having a situation where you have a better goalie in the minors who isn't playing... This is what is happening with Colorado with Pickard/Berra.

[MJK]

Ortio will challenge for the starting job next year. He is ready and proved it in the 5 games he played this season.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by DJones

If you have a one way contract pretty sure you have to clear waivers.

Thanks EA Sports.


My take on it is if you see Ramo and Hiller as basically equivalent and want to keep just one so you can keep Ortio, you can move Hiller for an asset (even if its a 4th round pick) and re-sign Ramo for free.

[Fire]

Ramo and Hiller are both average NHL goalies and I'm still undecided who's better. If Ramo can lead the Flames into the playoffs this season I would a big supporter of having a Finnish duo next season.

[BurningSteel]

Where is the poll??

I prefer to keep Ramo and move Hiller.

[neo45]

I would like to have both going into camp and then move the one who performs worse during that time.

I don't have that much faith in either guy for a whole season

[Erick Estrada]

Ramo isn't really any better than Hiller and neither are long term solutions so it's pointless to trade Hiller who only has one year left on his deal and lock up Ramo for 2-3 years his agent will be seeking as then you are stuck with Ramo longer than you want to be. At least with Hiller they can ride for one more season and look to upgrade via trade or sign another goaltender next offseason which is what I expect they are looking to do.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Ramo isn't really any better than Hiller and neither are long term solutions so it's pointless to trade Hiller who only has one year left on his deal and lock up Ramo for 2-3 years his agent will be seeking as then you are stuck with Ramo longer than you want to be. At least with Hiller they can ride for one more season and look to upgrade via trade or sign another goaltender next offseason which is what I expect they are looking to do.

Thing is, if Ortio moves above them during the year, what is wrong with having one of them as the backup for a couple years? You're probably not going to find much better in the way of goalies that can give you a solid 30 games.

We do need two, and if Ortio ends up being the #1, we could do a lot worse than one of Ramo/Hiller as the back up.

[calgarygeologist]

I like that the Flames are using Ramo right now. He has been getting some important wins in recent games and playing decently. This also gives Hiller the opportunity to rest and prepare for his inevitable playoff run. He'll start the final three games of the season in order to prepare himself for a cup run.

Hiller and Ortio for next season and hopefully Ortio will be a long term option in net.

[DoubleF]

Depends who would be the best synergy/teacher to Ortio?

I know the question is one or the other right now, I'm thinking Ramo or whoever gives a better return of the two (likely Hiller), but I was wondering if anyone believes both will go and we bring someone in of slightly higher calibre?