[Rumour] Friedman: Flames have inquired about Pittsburgh Goalie Matt Murray

[Conroy4Mayor]

Just watched Zatkoff beat the Rangers, which got me wondering if he might not be a better option than Ortio as the backup next year (I still want Elliott as the starter).

Zatkoff's a UFA, and Pittsburg is probably not going to try to resign him. They clearly want to keep Murray.

Zatkoff could probably be signed for the league minimum (same as Ortio), but Zatkoff's numbers are better than Ortio's and he has more NHL experience (and success). I know most people on CP really like Ortio, but if you take off the homer glasses, maybe Zatkoff has a better likelihood of success. His stats over the past three years in Pittsburg are pretty good.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Conroy4Mayor

Just watched Zatkoff beat the Rangers, which got me wondering if he might not be a better option than Ortio as the backup next year (I still want Elliott as the starter).

Zatkoff's a UFA, and Pittsburg is probably not going to try to resign him. They clearly want to keep Murray.

Zatkoff could probably be signed for the league minimum (same as Ortio), but Zatkoff's numbers are better than Ortio's and he has more NHL experience (and success). I know most people on CP really like Ortio, but if you take off the homer glasses, maybe Zatkoff has a better likelihood of success. His stats over the past three years in Pittsburg are pretty good.

I actually don't think you will find too many guys with homer glasses on this forum in regards to Ortio. I think people just saw him finally do 'ok' consistently to the point people are 'ok' with the Flames retaining him to see if he continues to progress or not.

Could be a decent backup. Could get picked off if assigned to the minors. Could be a good tandem to run with Gillies in Stockton to help push Gillies. Could very well not be retained at all, and I think few people would show much angst in letting him walk.

I would think the majority of posters here would probably prefer a bona fide starter and a completely new goalie as a backup signed as well. Heck, I think Ramo would probably be a better backup than Ortio would, though Ortio's age MAY indicate that there is more room to develop.

Ramo/Ortio/Berra/Karlsson - all backups (or lower) it seems. Ortio just happens to be the youngest, and thus perhaps the greatest potential to improve. Wouldn't write him totally off from becoming a fairly decent starter in this league, but I also would be very fine in having the Flames go out and find two brand new goalies. I would venture a guess that most people would feel the same way.

Edit: But totally agree on Zatkoff. I think there are a tonne of goalies that would make fairly decent backups available, and a number that have starter potential. Zatkoff would be an upgrade on Ortio now and probably an upgrade on potential as well. I think there are probably a good solid 5+ such 'backup and up' young goalies available.

[Lanny_McDonald]

I don't mind the idea of Zatkoff. I would prefer the Flames cut bait with all of the goaltenders who appeared in their jersey from this past season. There are some good options out there in the free agent market that would provide better goaltending than what we have now. Might send a pretty good message to the team as well.

[Erick Estrada]

It's only one game but Zatkoff played well on the biggest stage which is much more difficult than winning at garbage time. It's not like the Penguins have a lot of good playoff karma in recent history so IMO it's a solid performance. He did make a mental mistake on the 2nd goal though but also made some key saves when the game was in the balance. His stats are fairly good but he's 28 so I don't know if teams view him as one of those journeymen backup/AHL starter types. That said if you can get him for under $1 million it would make for good competition with Ortio for the backup position.

[polak]

How has he fared in the NHL?

Getting a slightly better prospect than Ortio isn't the solution. We have tons of solid goaltending prospects. If we're trading for a goalie he better be a bonafide starter TODAY.

[Roof-Daddy]

Good grief. Zatkoff is almost 29, and has roughly the same amount of ECHL games under his belt as NHL games (35ish), while amassing 200 AHL games.

No thanks, I don't want him over Ortio. Keep the 24 year old Finn and let him continue to develop as the back up.

[Toonage]

Yeah I kind of get a kick out of this. Backup to the backup has a decent game with an all star team in front of him and people overreact.

[Dr. Doom]

Zatkoff was hot garbage prior to last night's playoff win.
This guy looked like he wouldn't see another NHL game...
Now all of a sudden we should go after him as a backup?
It's funny the way the team and media are selling this guy all of a sudden - funnier that people are biting.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Yeah I kind of get a kick out of this. Backup to the backup has a decent game with an all star team in front of him and people overreact.

All Star team? The Pens have more guys on that team that I have never heard of than any other team in the Playoffs. They clearly have some super high end all star level guys but that is in no way an all-star team. Half that roster is an AHL squad.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by RyZ

All Star team? The Pens have more guys on that team that I have never heard of than any other team in the Playoffs. They clearly have some super high end all star level guys but that is in no way an all-star team. Half that roster is an AHL squad.

Hyperbole, sorry. But my point is that he had one good game with a bunch of talent in front of him that was jacked for the playoffs. Need to see more.

[dino7c]

lol totally saw this coming...don't fall in love with a guy because of one game, Hiller replaced Ramo in SJ and absolutely stood on his head and stole a game this season...the next game and for the rest of the year beach balls were going over his shoulders and in the net.

Sometimes going into a game where everyone expects you to fail actually takes the pressure off but it doesn't last. Pens are doomed if this guy remains the starter.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Was the same thing after Backstroms first game as a Flame. People were talking about signing him too.

How did his second game go?

[Conroy4Mayor]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Good grief. Zatkoff is almost 29, and has roughly the same amount of ECHL games under his belt as NHL games (35ish), while amassing 200 AHL games.

No thanks, I don't want him over Ortio. Keep the 24 year old Finn and let him continue to develop as the back up.

The fact that Pittsburg has better goaltending depth than the Flames does not make Zatkoff and inferior goaltender.

Do you honestly believe that if Ortio were on any other team he would have been given as many NHL starts as the Flames gave him the past couple of years? Did he really earn those starts?

Ortio was picked in the 6th round. Sent back to Finland after his first AHL stint. Spent some time in the ECHL. Rode the pine for most of this year, even while the other goaltenders truly stank. He passed through waivers. Maybe he's not as great as you think?

Regardless of your preference for homegrown talent, I happen to think Zatkoff would be a better backup for the Flames next year. And I think Zatkoff would happily accept the backup role. Ortio will aspire for the eventual starter's role, which I believe Gillies will take from him, creating unwanted tension.

[kirant]

Not much point taking Zatkoff in my mind. The Flames are seeking a legitimate starter and, unless Zatkoff is a late bloomer ala Thomas, this is kind of where he'll level off: a viable back up who can play NHL games without embarrassing himself. Zatkoff really doesn't satisfy a need the Flames have unless you think he's a notable improvement on Ortio and you think that this improvement will become crucial in the second string goaltender's games.

The only way I could see him being valuable would be if either Ortio ends up as the starter (which would indicate a larger failure over the summer in my mind), you think Zatkoff is a large improvement over Ortio and that the second goaltender will play near 40 games, or Ortio will regress into his early 2015-2016 form for all of next season (that is, look as bad as Hiller did).

I don't feel there's enough evidence to support any of those arguments yet (though the commentary on the Flames acquiring goaltenders is more a waiting game to see their course of action), so I don't feel there's a need to move on Zatkoff or sign him if he's a UFA this summer.

[Conroy4Mayor]

Originally Posted by polak

How has he fared in the NHL?

Getting a slightly better prospect than Ortio isn't the solution. We have tons of solid goaltending prospects. If we're trading for a goalie he better be a bonafide starter TODAY.

No doubt we need a bona fide starter. I am just saying that "getting a slightly better prospect than Ortio", is better than sticking with Ortio as the backup. Every position on the team should be upgraded, given the opportunity.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by RyZ

All Star team? The Pens have more guys on that team that I have never heard of than any other team in the Playoffs. They clearly have some super high end all star level guys but that is in no way an all-star team. Half that roster is an AHL squad.

AHL squad? Who haven't you heard of exactly? Because those guys have helped the Pens go lights out since the turn of the year, so I think you are doing them a massive disservice. Yes, they have been led by the vets like Crosby, Letang, Kessel etc, but these rookies have stepped in really well by the looks of it.

Sorry, but you don't go 27-11-4 since the turn of the year with half an NHL team. Having half an NHL team(or less) turns you into Toronto or Edmonton. Those are teams with half their roster made up of AHL level players.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Conroy4Mayor

The fact that Pittsburg has better goaltending depth than the Flames does not make Zatkoff and inferior goaltender.

Do you honestly believe that if Ortio were on any other team he would have been given as many NHL starts as the Flames gave him the past couple of years? Did he really earn those starts?

Ortio was picked in the 6th round. Sent back to Finland after his first AHL stint. Spent some time in the ECHL. Rode the pine for most of this year, even while the other goaltenders truly stank. He passed through waivers. Maybe he's not as great as you think?

Regardless of your preference for homegrown talent, I happen to think Zatkoff would be a better backup for the Flames next year. And I think Zatkoff would happily accept the backup role. Ortio will aspire for the eventual starter's role, which I believe Gillies will take from him, creating unwanted tension.

That's fine, think what you want about Zatkoff, but don't put words in my mouth. I never stated that Ortio was "great", nor did I say Zatkoff was terrible.

I merely stated that I'd rather keep the 24 year old who IMO has more upside than a 28/29 year old minor pro journey man.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by RyZ

All Star team? The Pens have more guys on that team that I have never heard of than any other team in the Playoffs. They clearly have some super high end all star level guys but that is in no way an all-star team. Half that roster is an AHL squad.

Their roster is pretty deep. They're no longer playing plugs like Craig Adams. Instead it's Matt Cullen or Eric Fehr.

Their defense went through an overhaul, it's much younger (and better at moving the puck). They have graduated a bunch of prospects back there.

[MacDaddy77]

Why are we talking zatkoff? If the pens wont trade Murray I'd take Tristan Jerry. If Matt Murray is the next star goalie then Jarry could be a good #1

# Goalies GP W L SOL SO GA GAA SVS SV%

30 Matt Murray 31 20 9 0 4 64 2.10 868 0.931

35 Tristan Jarry 33 17 13 0 5 87 2.69 833 0.905

hes better than a career backup

[djsFlames]

...The thread is about Matt Murray and the speculation around him. Every time I come in here it's about something/someone else entirely.