[Trade] Flames acquire Mike Smith (25% retained) for Chad Johnson, Brandon Hickey, & cond 3rd

[Jaydee]

Guys we have an All-Star, Olympic gold winning goalie... /s

[Heavy Jack]

60 games out of Smith heck even 55 would be a welcomed addition. I think he's definitely capable of that work load and there is no doubt in my mind that he has more experience at being a starter than Elliott had when we acquired him last year. Depending on what we give Johnson or if we go with one of Rittich/Gillies + which player (forward apparently expected) is taken by LV we could be sitting in a very great spot come UFA season.

Can't wait for the awards show and revealing of the LVGK!!

[TheScorpion]

I'm okay with this now, so long as Gillies is the backup.

[Timbo]

Investing in crow futures... I got a feeling it will be the main course for quite a few come October.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

He's kind of a head case too. Not sure how the pressure in a Canadian market is going to help.

I would've been fine losing him in the expansion draft for nothing.

Well you guys are paying 25% of his salary for a draft pick and will be a joke of a team again

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Well with Smith making $5.6 million it's not likely the Flames will have much money to offer Johnson in a backup role.

So , for those always crying about the Flames not giving their prospects opportunity, this deal gives the Flames a proven number 1 and allows then to work Rittich in as a backup slowly.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

He's kind of a head case too. Not sure how the pressure in a Canadian market is going to help.

I would've been fine losing him in the expansion draft for nothing.

Oooff

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Oooff

It's true..

He's ok and overpaid. His puckhandling is and can be more of a hindrance than anything else. I wish he would stay in his net more to be honest with you. I'm honestly shocked that Chayka got anything for him.

Have fun with him.

[djsFlames]

Sigalet really does need to go. He's been a constant variable through all the veteran goalie experiments that have flopped.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

It's true..

He's ok and overpaid. His puckhandling is and can be more of a hindrance than anything else. I wish he stay in his net to be honest with you.

Have fun with him.

I have more faith in our forwards and defence than the Yotes. Enjoy Elliott or whoever you trick into coming to a failing team.

I wonder how many millions of dollars total Phx (the NHL) has doled out to players to not play for them. Surely the most by any team.

[Zoller]

If Rittich or Gillies is the backup next year and turns into a starter within 2 years this is a good deal.

If Brad goes out and gets another backup goalie and overcooks our goalie prospects resulting in them busting this is a bad deal.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

I have more faith in our forwards and defence than the Yotes. Enjoy Elliott or whoever you trick into coming to a failing team.

I wonder how many millions of dollars total Phx (the NHL) has doled out to players to not play for them. Surely the most by any team.

Those big caphits they picked up were just that.

Cap hits but not actual salary.

[bob-loblaw]

One possibility is that Smith is only a Flame for a couple weeks at most. Maybe Treliving flips him + something to New Jersey for Schneider as an example.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Sigalet really does need to go. He's been a constant variable through all the veteran goalie experiments that have flopped.

So how much credit/blame should goalies get for their performance? How much credit/blame should the goalie coach get for the goalie's performance? Is Carey Price merely a product of MTL's amazing goalie coach or is Price actually a good goalie and it doesn't really matter who his coach is? Does the goalie coach have a controller and is literally controlling the goalie and making the saves or failing to?

I tend to think goalies are 95% or more responsible for their own performance. I don't really think a goalie coach makes as much of a difference as some fans seem to think it does.

I think blaming Sigalet for various goalies is scapegoating. It's like a fantasy that some fans hope is true. If our goalie coach is the problem, what an easy fix!

I think Hiller, Elliott and Ramo can shoulder the credit/blame for their own performances. I don't think goalie coaches should be shouldering any large credit or blame for a goalie. Guess a lot disagree.

[JurassicTunga12]

not sure if already posted, but here is another more recent highlight video of Smith:

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by bob-loblaw

One possibility is that Smith is only a Flame for a couple weeks at most. Maybe Treliving flips him + something to New Jersey for Schneider as an example.

Wake up bro, you're dreaming again

[Meers]

Originally Posted by bob-loblaw

One possibility is that Smith is only a Flame for a couple weeks at most. Maybe Treliving flips him + something to New Jersey for Schneider as an example.

Keep dreaming.

Smith represents a marginal upgrade net from Elliott. From my perspective this trade is one big yawn.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Disturbing trade. Mike Smith arguably had his numbers propped up by playing for one of the better defensive coaches in the NHL. I imagine he will struggle in a different system.

Tippet isn't one of the better defensive coaches in the NHL. His legacy on these boards is vastly overstated. He's been the brain behind a team that has been way below average now for a number of seasons.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Meers

Keep dreaming.

Smith represents a marginal upgrade net from Elliott. From my perspective this trade is one big yawn.

While it'd be great to get a major upgrade in net, they aren't exactly growing on trees.

And really, all the Flames need is a steady presence back there as they made the playoffs with below average goaltending as it is.

And what they REALLY need is a goalie who isn't going to drop a big smelly deuce in the crease in the playoffs next spring.

[FlamesAddiction]

Hopefully we at least get to see some comedy gold: