[Rumour] Chad Johnson to the Sabres

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Great news if true.

I wouldnt say its 'Great News' as he was a decent goaltender and a quality backup, he just didnt fit with us at the moment based on our current trajectory.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

What about a Bouma for Lack trade? Similar money both have a 1 year deal left

This makes so much sense, it just might work.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Locke

I wouldnt say its 'Great News' as he was a decent goaltender and a quality backup, he just didnt fit with us at the moment based on our current trajectory.

So in other words it's great news that he's going to be employed elswhere!

[Geeoff]

I think he fancies himself as more than a backup. Buffalo's not a bad fit because Lehner's always injured

[Racki]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I think he fancies himself as more than a backup. Buffalo's not a bad fit because Lehner's always injured

Exactly right. He does see himself as a starter and good for him for believing in himself but I just don't see him as guy that's ever going to carry the mail for an NHL team. Best of luck in Buffalo.

[Roof-Daddy]

I can't see any way Tre lets just McCollum, Rittich and Gillies fight for the back up spot. Not enough NHL experience there and a huge gamble.

Nilsson, McElhinney or Kinkaid maybe?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I liked Johnson more than Elliott, but I understand what he's doing here. He needs to make the best choice for his career, and that likely means making more in Buffalo than here. Best of luck to him. I thought he was a quality human being and a decent goalie who saved our season in October and November.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Toonage

If they aren't rolling the dice with Gillies or Rittich then I'm all for Condon. Kid can play and his last contract was $575k.

Apparently just re-signed with Ottawa for 3 years x 2.4mil/year. Not so cheap anymore.

[Gaudfather]

Good luck to CJ - was a nice guy for sure.

[OutOfTheCube]

I'm okay with this, he was actually pretty good for us his one season.

[jlh2640]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

From what perspective? From Gillies' perspective he really needs to play games after missing almost the entire season 2 years ago. Rittich may be ready but wouldn't be hurt playing more in the minors. From a depth perspective it makes little to no sense to be one injury away from a tandem who has 1.3 games of NHL experience to their credit.

Seems like its impatient fan sentiment more than anything pushing for these kids to make the NHL. Not convinced Treliving thinks its time based on his interviews. I think he'll want proper depth in case of injuries and not roll the dice that Smith will never get injured.

At some point you have to let the young guys take the reins. I get we are in the compete now mode. Smith is injury prone. So what we should over pay a career backup or try and sign Elliott ?? Its time to develop a young guy. Gillies playing in the NHL would help him understand how to be a pro. And practice like a pro. Rittich too, its time. I do not think this attitude of keep goalies developing in AHL is smart. Yes there are some examples, but many like Al Montoya and Jack Campbell did not do well with that. You either make it or you dont. Let someone step up.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

At some point you have to let the young guys take the reins. I get we are in the compete now mode. Smith is injury prone. So what we should over pay a career backup or try and sign Elliott ?? Its time to develop a young guy. Gillies playing in the NHL would help him understand how to be a pro. And practice like a pro. Rittich too, its time. I do not think this attitude of keep goalies developing in AHL is smart. Yes there are some examples, but many like Al Montoya and Jack Campbell did not do well with that. You either make it or you dont. Let someone step up.

In a year where the Flames traded an unprotected 1st round pick I do not think it is wise to toss an inexperienced backup in the net as a Smith injury could put this team in the lottery if the backup isn't capable. This is not the year to risk it. Sign a bsckupmfor one year and hope Gillies takes the job in year 2

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

In a year where the Flames traded an unprotected 1st round pick I do not think it is wise to toss an inexperienced backup in the net as a Smith injury could put this team in the lottery if the backup isn't capable. This is not the year to risk it. Sign a bsckupmfor one year and hope Gillies takes the job in year 2

I find your lack of faith in Rittich to be a NHL backup for this year disturbing.

[jlh2640]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

In a year where the Flames traded an unprotected 1st round pick I do not think it is wise to toss an inexperienced backup in the net as a Smith injury could put this team in the lottery if the backup isn't capable. This is not the year to risk it. Sign a bsckupmfor one year and hope Gillies takes the job in year 2

If they do not feel either guy is ready then maybe but we should not be signing someone who is no better then the 2 young guys we have.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

At some point you have to let the young guys take the reins.

Of course, but it is still really premature to be taking this course with Gillies and Rittich. Gillies has effectively played only one full year of pro hockey, was good but not great in the AHL, and has played only one NHL game. Rittich has played only one year of NA hockey, and he has played only 20 mins of an NHL game. There is still plenty of time to transition one of them to the NHL.

I get we are in the compete now mode. Smith is injury prone. So what we should over pay a career backup or try and sign Elliott ?? Its time to develop a young guy. Gillies playing in the NHL would help him understand how to be a pro. And practice like a pro. Rittich too, its time.

It is NOT time. Gillies is only 23-years old, and Rittich is 24. Virtually nothing will be lost by letting them both develop for another year.

I do not think this attitude of keep goalies developing in AHL is smart. Yes there are some examples, but many like Al Montoya and Jack Campbell did not do well with that. You either make it or you dont. Let someone step up.

Campbell and Montoya did not suffer for being held back from the NHL. The problem for both of them was neither was able to even establish any sort of sustained success at the AHL level.

There are many more successful NHL goalies who did not make the transition from the AHL to the NHL until they were in their mid/late-20s than there are those who were fast-tracked before turning 25.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I liked Johnson more than Elliott, but I understand what he's doing here. He needs to make the best choice for his career, and that likely means making more in Buffalo than here. Best of luck to him. I thought he was a quality human being and a decent goalie who saved our season in October and November.

I was the other way around in that I liked Elliott more than Johnson. Elliott's issues seemed to be more mental which is a problem in itself but seemed to get better as he adjusted to a new team and city. It seemed like Johnson had some fundamental issues with his positioning and glove side and while far from the worst backup this organization has ever had I didn't feel confident the Flames could win with him in the net at any time in 2017. Regardless I feel a clean slate is probably best for the Flames and the players. Elliott will probably be better in Winnipeg (my guess of where he lands), Johnson will likely be better in Buffalo and hopefully Smith is better than both of them.

[Geeoff]

I don't see the problem with signing a proven backup. If Gillies or Rittich steal the backup job from a confirmed NHLer in preseason, that's a good problem to have.

Worst case scenario: you have to put a goalie on waivers

[Gaudfather]

If Chad signs again in Buffalo - would it be crazy for the Flames to look at Anders Nilsson? His cap hit would be low and his save % last year (on a not great Sabres team) was .923.

[jlh2640]

Define a proven backup though

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

If Chad signs again in Buffalo - would it be crazy for the Flames to look at Anders Nilsson? His cap hit would be low and his save % last year (on a not great Sabres team) was .923.

We really need to start moving our own assets through the process.