[Rumour] Flames have permission to talk to Bishop. Wants 7x7 extension.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

There's only one team that has a starting job open.

If you're a free agent goalie that's wanting to start, you're more likely to take a haircut off the top of your demands, otherwise you'll be relegated to being a backup for some other team. Being a starter makes more sense financially long term.

I would be shocked to see Reimer signed for more than 4 million on UFA day if the Flames fail to get a goalie. Probably more likely in the 3.33 to 3.5 range.

If he signs as a backup somewhere he's more likely to get in the neighbourhood of 2.5 million because teams don't typically have the budget for that much for a backup.

It'll be fine.

They player may think so and I agree, but we're talking about money shark agents milking every single penny they can to make the most out of their 20%.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by greyshep

The market doesnt change any if other teams balk though. The Flames are still their best opportunity to turn their surplus goalies and cap space into an asset.

Supply is a lot higher than demand, ball is still in the Flames court.

I really don't know about that, if this was the case, the Flames would have the guy they wanted already. Perhaps we fans are totally misjudging the effect that expansion will have on each teams mindset.

[wwkayaker]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I really don't know about that, if this was the case, the Flames would have the guy they wanted already. Perhaps we fans are totally misjudging the effect that expansion will have on each teams mindset.

I think the teams with goalies are holding out in hopes of getting the best return. It is a game of chicken but the clock is ticken! Spelling, but I couldn't resist being a rapper for a minute.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I really don't know about that, if this was the case, the Flames would have the guy they wanted already. Perhaps we fans are totally misjudging the effect that expansion will have on each teams mindset.

You think these things happen instantly? Teams and GM's have a lot more to worry about right now rather than how they are going to clear out one of their extra goalies. The Flames are sampling the market and there is a lot of moving pieces at play. Personally I am glad its taking some time. To me it means Treliving is using time as leverage and giving himself options going into the draft.

The only reason I would be worried is if the supply situation was scarce, which it is not.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by greyshep

You think these things happen instantly? Teams and GM's have a lot more to worry about right now rather than how they are going to clear out one of their extra goalies. The Flames are sampling the market and there is a lot of moving pieces at play. Personally I am glad its taking some time. To me it means Treliving is using time as leverage and giving himself options going into the draft.

The only reason I would be worried is if the supply situation was scarce, which it is not.

And I am saying this surplus you speak of may be a mirage. These GM's with goalie problems would probably be just as happy to keep these players until the deadline and trade them for scraps then than let one go tomorrow for a sweetheart deal to the Flames.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by dammage79

And I am saying this surplus you speak of may be a mirage. These GM's with goalie problems would probably be just as happy to keep these players until the deadline and trade them for scraps then than let one go tomorrow for a sweetheart deal to the Flames.

I cant help but get the impression that this is your keyboard....

[Matty81]

There are so many reasonable second goalies out there who are better than Hiller/Ramo. I think getting a star isn't a certainty, but there are so many options out there, the supply is massive, the Flames are just focused on the stars to start with, as they should be. If the acquisition price is too high, they should move on and let Tampa and Pittsburgh regret not seizing the opportunity. No need to panic at this stage in a rebuild for the Flames.

I'd rather see the Flames sign Reimer or Johnson for no assets and send a 3rd or a 2nd if needed for someone for Kuemper or Darling and ride that tandem than give up 6th overall and 7 mil a year for Bishop if that's the price. Protect the goalie who performed better this time next year and add another core piece with 6th overall - you're not getting elite goaltending but it will be way better than last year, I think any combo of those four guys would pull off a .915, .910 at worst.

[bax]

I am so tired of watching average to below average goaltending. We need someone who can stabilize the net.

The part that doesn't seem to get mentioned often is that having a star goalie inspires confidence in a young team. It's one of the most important positions in the sense that it can calm the team down and allow them to just go out and play. This effect is huge, especially with a young team. They need to have faith in the guy back there

[Reggie Dunlop]

A top-tier goaltender would go a long ways to install team confidence, which leads to success.

We were spoiled for so many years with the singular greatness of the one called Miikka Kiprusoff.

[dino7c]

Bishop was 2nd in vezina voting and 10th in heart voting this past season

This would be such a massive upgrade I can't even fathom...Flames as bad as their season was missed the playoffs by 5 wins with league worst goal tending

[dying4acup]

Pittsburgh and Tampa would be silly to not be proactive. Tampa risks losing bishop for nothing next year to free-agency and Pittsburgh risks not being able to protect the goalie they want to in a year.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Hmmmmmm......Bishop.

[btimbit]

Does "permission to talk to" mean they could be working on a pre-emptive, gentleman's agreement on an extension before committing major assets?

I flip flop so much on our goalie situation, first I didn't want to spend any assets and just wanted Reimer. Then went back and forth on Fleury. Then figured Varlamov would be the way to go since he wouldn't be expensive. Now I'm thinking Bishop, since he's fantastic. 2nd in Vezina voting. If you're giving away assets, this is the guy you so it for. As long as you're getting him for more than one season

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Hmmmmmm......Bishop.

Maybe.... Why not wait a year and sign him as UFA....

[StrykerSteve]

If the price is right, Bishop would be a ridiculous get for Treliving.

But if the price is not so right, Reimer would be a great fit in Calgary. He's do just fine, he's got great numbers for a guy that played for the train wreck that is the Toronto Maple Leafs. He showed what he can do in front of a good team with the Sharks last season.

Considering the acquisition cost, I'd be a-ok with him being signed, but the Flames have all the leverage, so the deal would have to make financial sense. 4M for 4 years would be my guess.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I hope Bishop happens - still think he is the best available goalie out there right now. I would be comfortable in re-signing Ortio at that moment too. Only the acquisition cost + what is the ballpark number that Bishop is hoping to sign the following season is the question.

The Reimer vs Ramo talk.

Who cares? I like Ramo, and I think he is comparable to Reimer actually. In any stretch of games, one is going to look much better than the other - that is the problem with both of them. Ramo stepped up and looked like a pretty decent starter 2 seasons ago quite often, and again after he got recalled and all the way up to his injury.

Now, I would have been hoping that the Flames re-sign Ramo if the other rumored goalies didn't work out - but not after the injury (and I feel really badly for Ramo there). Too much risk in re-signing him, and he won't be back until pre-season(?), and that carries a lot of risk. Flames start off badly again, and it snowballs into a lost season rather quickly.

Reimer is just the headliner on some other goalies available for free this off-season. If the Flames sign Reimer, I would probably not be very comfortable with re-signing Ortio. I would want a much more experienced backup who has also played a season or two as a starter. Enroth seems like the best bang-for-the-buck type goalie out there in the back-up category. Maybe Montoya instead of Reimer, also with Enroth as the backup/1B guy if need be.

I look at all the names above as a stopgap - including Ramo if he was healthy. Reimer is not a tier above Ramo, and Reimer has consistently blown-up and looked terrible at times as well. I would agree that there is some potential left (as I would also think there is some potential in Ramo) but not a heck of a lot I bet. I don't think he has the ability to become a consistent top 10 goalie in the league.

With that being said, I really hope that the acquisition cost and the contract Bishop is looking for in a year's time are both decent. It would place the Flames in the top 5 or so in the league for goaltending (IMO), and provide time for Gillies, MacDonald, Schneider and even Rittich a chance to develop without being rushed. Having Bishop in the organization will allow these goalies to properly develop, until one of them pushes themselves onto the roster as a backup and then pushes Bishop out.

I don't favor 'blocking' goalies as much as the 'catching' goalies, but there is no arguing that Bishop is one of the elite goalies in the NHL, and if the rumors are true that he doesn't use over-sized pads, then there is little to worry about any 'correction' that may happen next season. He also handles the puck really well, and that is something that can completely disrupt zone entries for opposing teams. Especially some of the big heavy teams like LA, St. Louis and Anaheim, who send it in and use their over-sized forwards to battle the puck with our regular or undersized D. Bishop will help disrupt those dump-ins and get the puck going the other way. That has always been a huge asset to a team to have.

[killer_carlson]

it's the middle of the night but i can't sleep because i'm worried that he'll move our #6 for Bishop.

I don't think he will at all, but damn the fact Yzerman said a first round pick is involved has me stressed out.

[nemanja2306]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

it's the middle of the night but i can't sleep because i'm worried that he'll move our #6 for Bishop.

I don't think he will at all, but damn the fact Yzerman said a first round pick is involved has me stressed out.

If it's true what Stevie Y said, I don't think our 6th is involved. But I think we can kiss our '17 first goodbye.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by nemanja2306

If it's true what Stevie Y said, I don't think our 6th is involved. But I think we can kiss our '17 first goodbye.

I'd be fine with that if we have a massive improvement over last year with a new coach (legitimate defensive system), and a star goalie. I imagine the pick would be in the 15-25 range, so it'd be like what we gave up to acquire Hamilton. Seems worth it to me.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

it's the middle of the night but i can't sleep because i'm worried that he'll move our #6 for Bishop.

I don't think he will at all, but damn the fact Yzerman said a first round pick is involved has me stressed out.

I suspect Treliving has something lined up with Columbus involving the 6th overall pick, and if it falls through he may use the pick as currency to get one of these goalies.

From all the rumours flying around it sounds like Treliving has several contingencies lined up surrounding the 6th pick, but priority 1 would be moving up in the draft.