QOTD: Pick your tandem

[Lanny_McDonald]

Dump Hiller. Weakest link on the team, and that includes Raymond.

[Vinny01]

Hiller put up the numbers last year and was great against the Canucks but he is the odd man out. I think we have witnessed the best of Hiller but Ramo might still improve now that this will be his 3rd year back in the NHL. Obviously a young team like the Flames needs to keep the young goalie they drafted and developed so Ortio staying is a no brainer

[codynw]

Originally Posted by New Era

Dump Hiller. Weakest link on the team, and that includes Raymond.

You're delusional.

The vets are fairly equal. If anything, Hiller was slightly better last year.

[Poe969]

Hillerito?

[Oil Stain]

I find it curious that Hiller had the best save percentage out of Calgary netminders by a fair margin and only 27% of the respondents want him back on the team.

Ortio had the worst save percentage last season and 97% want him on the team.


Do you think the perception of Hiller is colored by his two back to back poor playoff outings, rather than his season as a whole?

Is Ortio the result of shiny new toy syndrome? He didn't put up better numbers, but he is younger therefore he must be better in the future?

[King Theo]

I picked Hiller - Ortio. It could have been Ortio and either. Hiller over Ramo just because he has been in the NHL longer. 378 games played vs 98.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I find it curious that Hiller had the best save percentage out of Calgary netminders by a fair margin and only 27% of the respondents want him back on the team.

Hiller was unreal at the start of the season, IIRC his Oct/Nov numbers were crazy. But ultimately that was unsustainable and Ramo was outstanding in the playoffs. Combine that with the fact that Hiller plays a "different" style and is older than Ramo, I don't think it's that surprising. Hiller had better numbers, but most fans seem to trust Ramo more nevertheless.

[Benched]

Ramo-Ortio is high risk/high reward
Hiller-Ortio is lower risk with a proven starter, maybe less reward if Ortio doesn't get enough games
Hiller-Ramo is just plain not a good idea


I still think Hiller-Ortio

[FBI]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I find it curious that Hiller had the best save percentage out of Calgary netminders by a fair margin and only 27% of the respondents want him back on the team.

Ortio had the worst save percentage last season and 97% want him on the team.


Do you think the perception of Hiller is colored by his two back to back poor playoff outings, rather than his season as a whole?

Is Ortio the result of shiny new toy syndrome? He didn't put up better numbers, but he is younger therefore he must be better in the future?

Ortio played awesome in 4 of 6 games. The last game he lost is the reason his numbers were lower. The 1-0 shutout against the Canucks on the road that we always lose to, was a masterpiece. This is a case of eye test vs stats.

[neo45]

I found myself trusting Ramo over Hiller in the playoffs last year and I think that's when he finally won over the coaching staff

[TomLeeMC]

Went Hiller-Ortio. Really like Ramo but with Hiller being around the league longer he may be in a better position to take Ortio under his wing. I also think we'd get better return for Ramo being younger.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by devo22

Hiller was unreal at the start of the season, IIRC his Oct/Nov numbers were crazy. But ultimately that was unsustainable and Ramo was outstanding in the playoffs. Combine that with the fact that Hiller plays a "different" style and is older than Ramo, I don't think it's that surprising. Hiller had better numbers, but most fans seem to trust Ramo more nevertheless.

I also prefer Ramo's style to Hiller's "puck-blocking" style, and I think that Hiller's more prone to "soft" goals due to what seems like a lower degree of mobility.

Having said this, so long as the Flames retain Ortio, I'm okay with Hiller being the other guy for this season. If that's the tandem they go with, then I'd prefer Hiller in the "veteran back up" role; somebody who can come into games if Ortio struggles.

Ultimately, I think the Flames are in some degree of a holding pattern until someone like Gillies matures. I think he's the true "franchise goalie" hope. In the meantime, we just hope Ortio develops into something like a capable #1/1A.

Big-picture, it's not THAT devastating to the team's progression if they miss playoffs this season, because they're still developing prospects and still a young team overall. Nevertheless, I see goaltending as the biggest need right now, and the sooner someone establishes himself as being able to carry the load, the better.

[burnitdown]

They're all pretty similar in my eyes and a case can be may that any one of them can stand out and play themselves into the role of our starting goalie for the next 3+ years. I think management just signed Ramo to a hefty one year deal so his spot is locked down while I don't see Hiller being traded nor being sent down...so I think by default, they'll test their luck and try to sneak Ortio through waivers.

The only thing I don't want is a situation with 3 goalies for the first couple months of the season. The goalies can never get into a rhythm and it will be a constant focus of the media.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I find it curious that Hiller had the best save percentage out of Calgary netminders by a fair margin and only 27% of the respondents want him back on the team.

Hiller is 33, and turns 34 mid-season.
Ramo is 29.

It's as simple as this: A year from now both guys are UFAs, and both will look to be Ortio's backup. Would you rather bring back a 34 year old backup who's losing mobility or a competent 30 year old backup? Once we trade one, we can consider the bridge burned.

Hiller was better than Ramo last year. Will be better this year or next year? We can't predict when age starts to limit his effectiveness.

Ortio had the worst save percentage last season and 97% want him on the team.

Is Ortio the result of shiny new toy syndrome? He didn't put up better numbers, but he is younger therefore he must be better in the future?

Before a meaningless April game where Ortio was just returning from a high ankle sprain caused by Oilers prospect Bogdan Yakimov running him over, Ortio's save percentage was .935. The April game tanked his save percentage because our #1 defenseman on the night was Deryk Engelland.

Ortio is already better, it's not about the future. He's athletic, great rebound control, reliable positioning, great glove hand, tracks the puck as well as anyone, doesn't let in soft goals, and mentally tough/confident. These are things you see when you watch him play.

[Benched]

Originally Posted by drewtastic

Big-picture, it's not THAT devastating to the team's progression if they miss playoffs this season, because they're still developing prospects and still a young team overall. Nevertheless, I see goaltending as the biggest need right now, and the sooner someone establishes himself as being able to carry the load, the better.

Great point.

If this is managments outlook, then they should go Ramo-Ortio, better longer term potential.

Hiller isn't going to be your guy in a few years, so it's time to look for a #1 to emerge. If it's not Ramo, or not Ortio, you keep looking/waiting.


If the goal is to make the playoffs again this year and push further....then you have to give Hiller a thought as he's proven.

[flylock shox]

I think Flames fans are inclined to prefer Ramo due to the Kipper effect.

We appreciate and trust athletic goaltending having watched it win us games for so long. That's why we like Ramo and really like Ortio, but are less sold on Hiller's blocking style.

That was my thinking until recently, but now I'm coming around to the idea of keeping Hiller as he's a steadier veteran presence and there's an advantage to having 2 goalies play different styles.

[zukes]

I'd trade Ramo or Hiller, whoever fetches more on the market and then ride the other duo. Glad I'm not the one making the call here.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Gotta keep Ortio, can't risk losing him on waivers for nothing.

I don't really care too much who they keep between the other two, but they did just re-sign Ramo so it would be strange to ink him then deal him within a couple months.

I guess I'd have to say Ramo/Ortio.

[Komskies]

Ramo-Ortio is what I'd like to see, Hiller-Ramo is what I think we'll be seeing (at least to start the season).

[topfiverecords]

Hiller - Ortio, but reverse order.