Mike Smith's... woes? He blows? Eating crows? Who knows! (Also David Rittich exists!)

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by nik-

Oh Jesus, here we go. The team doesn't need Mike Smith to be a leader. Now you're lumping Neal in too for what reason? If he's in the room pumping up the guys, that's great. I bet they'd be fine if he wasn't saying much and could make a save.

It's like you're in the room and know the dynamics yourself. I was purely speaking from a "what it" standpoint. But clearly you know better....

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

My idea of trying to fix it would be something like a 5th in 2020 for Talbot, not Jankowski and 1st for Bob

Yeah, I am all over this.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Yeah, the "we need to be better" starts to wear thin when the team is putting up 4 goals/game and he can't stop a beach ball.

Ultimately it comes down to this:

Is Mike Smith making the saves you expect him to make?

No. He is not.

He allows at least 1 and often 2 soft goals per game. Goals that an NHL goaltender should stop out of routine. He rarely can complain about lack of goal support and, okay, occasionally on defensive breakdowns theres nothing he can do, but that happens to every goaltender from time to time.

Time to put him out to pasture.

[Toonage]

Recency bias - Flames should look at Petr Mrazek

He'd be a great fit as a 1B with Rittich next year.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by theslymonkey

It's like you're in the room and know the dynamics yourself. I was purely speaking from a "what it" standpoint. But clearly you know better....

So if we suggest he's good in the room it's fine, if we suggest the play on the ice affects how he's viewed by his teammates it's "you're not in the room".

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by nik-

So if we suggest he's good in the room it's fine, if we suggest the play on the ice affects how he's viewed by his teammates it's "you're not in the room".

No, I'm suggesting that team makeup has a lot to do with success. The Flames are tops in the West and we as fans have no clue how the dynamics are in the room. I'm not defending Smith, I actually get pissed watching him play, which is my right as a fan. But to suggest that you know how dumping him for a rental goalie will not negatively affect the team dynamics is quite short sighted.

It's just silly to dump on the #1 team in the west on what they should do in net without considering what has got them there so far, be it team chemistry or otherwise.

[powderjunkie]

Personally, my limit for assets to solve this 'problem' is a 4th rd pick and/or prospect we no longer want (for a rental; if it's a cheap AAV for next year I'd be happy to pay a bit more).

Targeting Bobrovsky is a mind bottling proposition. Jimmy Howard is the only guy I'd really want, aside from maybe Talbot because it would be fun to see him rekindle himself away from Edm.

[transplant99]

TB's backup Louis Domingue

21 games 2.95 GAA .906 SV%

Smith

26 games 3.08 GAA .889 SV%

Is there really that much difference considering each guy will likely play 10 more times all year at the most? 1 more goal over the course of 10 games is the difference.

I mean I guess if you want to hunt the Lightning down for 1st overall (which tends to mean very little in terms of playoff success) then you go and spend your assets on another G and play him more than they play theirs?

I dunno...it just seems ridiculous to upgrade a spot (at the price it will take) that simply doesnt matter a whole lot as it stands. Of course if Rittich gets hurt its a different conversation but there really isnt a team that isnt in the same boat sans Nashville maybe?

and all this doesn't even take into consideration the chemistry change that would happen within that room.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by theslymonkey

No, I'm suggesting that team makeup has a lot to do with success. The Flames are tops in the West and we as fans have no clue how the dynamics are in the room. I'm not defending Smith, I actually get pissed watching him play, which is my right as a fan. But to suggest that you know how dumping him for a rental goalie will not negatively affect the team dynamics is quite short sighted.

It's just silly to dump on the #1 team in the west on what they should do in net without considering what has got them there so far, be it team chemistry or otherwise.

Well I think we both can agree it's not Smith's play that's got them there. So your suggestion would basically handcuff the team from trying to change anything because it could affect chemistry. So are we going into the playoffs with this exact roster? What do you think the likelihood of that happening is?

Minimal would be my guess. I'd also guess that goaltending is going to be one of the areas addressed because I think being a great guy in the room is pretty quickly negated by being crap between the pipes.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

My idea of trying to fix it would be something like a 5th in 2020 for Talbot, not Jankowski and 1st for Bob

Well sure but I don't think Edmonton does that even if it is the best offer they get. Lowe won't be in any rush to help the Flames.
I have no idea what the asking price for Talbot would be. Probably at least a 2nd (which we don't have) or something like that.
The Flames don't have a lot of chips to play with.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Anyone hoping for McBackup best cool thine jets. McElhinney HATED his time here. Felt the fans were too harsh on him, management bent him over (his words) and could not have been happier to leave a city (except maybe Edmonton which he hated even more than Calgary).


McBackup will never play in the Flaming C again, and you can feel free to quote me.

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by nik-

Well I think we both can agree it's not Smith's play that's got them there. So your suggestion would basically handcuff the team from trying to change anything because it could affect chemistry. So are we going into the playoffs with this exact roster? What do you think the likelihood of that happening is?

Minimal would be my guess. I'd also guess that goaltending is going to be one of the areas addressed because I think being a great guy in the room is pretty quickly negated by being crap between the pipes.

I would vote against no changes. Flames can't afford to have two #1s. No team can. The list of failed deadline goalie acquisitions is really long as compared to the successes. In my opinion, it mostly has to do with unfamiliarity of team defence and how they protect shooting lanes. And really, how many teams are going to trade you a legit #1 now or ever?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Anyone hoping for McBackup best cool thine jets. McElhinney HATED his time here. Felt the fans were too harsh on him, management bent him over (his words) and could not have been happier to leave a city (except maybe Edmonton which he hated even more than Calgary).


McBackup will never play in the Flaming C again, and you can feel free to quote me.

So, what would he do if he was traded to Calgary? Would he just retire?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Anyone hoping for McBackup best cool thine jets. McElhinney HATED his time here. Felt the fans were too harsh on him, management bent him over (his words) and could not have been happier to leave a city (except maybe Edmonton which he hated even more than Calgary).


McBackup will never play in the Flaming C again, and you can feel free to quote me.

In fairness, playing behind Kipper would have been a nightmare and seemingly often was. The team let a lot of stuff go because Kipper would normally have it and the backup was often hung out to dry and never got an opportunity to play into a groove.

What really aggravates me is that this team is at a point where they are playing well, we even have a points cushion within our division when normally we're scraping and clawing for every last point just to try and squeeze in.

We have breathing room. We have the luxury of patience. And we're wasting it on Mike Smith who has been given every chance to succeed and then some and then some more.

Time to fish or cut bait. We should not be handcuffing ourselves to Smith.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Anyone hoping for McBackup best cool thine jets. McElhinney HATED his time here. Felt the fans were too harsh on him, management bent him over (his words) and could not have been happier to leave a city (except maybe Edmonton which he hated even more than Calgary).


McBackup will never play in the Flaming C again, and you can feel free to quote me.

What you mean Edmonton? He never played for Oilers.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

What you mean Edmonton? He never played for Oilers.

Lived close enough to see they are no good.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So, what would he do if he was traded to Calgary? Would he just retire?

That is a fair question. I would hope Master Wizard Tre would do his due diligence and see that Curtis would not be happy here and would avoid the acquisition...

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

What you mean Edmonton? He never played for Oilers.

He hated the city it's self. Was quite vocal about it with the people I know who know him personally (best friends that I am friends with. I know a guy who knows him type thing)

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Well sure but I don't think Edmonton does that even if it is the best offer they get. Lowe won't be in any rush to help the Flames.
I have no idea what the asking price for Talbot would be. Probably at least a 2nd (which we don't have) or something like that.
The Flames don't have a lot of chips to play with.

Yeah no. Wasn't suggesting it was going to happen, but my guess is there is no way they get more than a 4th for Talbot. And I expect he may go soon, if they need to clear space for Sekera return to the lineup. So a 3 way trade that sees Talbot end up here. Or most probably not him, but someone like him.
Point was mostly I do not want Flames spending any significant assets on a backup goaltender.

[Movechkin]

Why not try Gillies? Couldn't be worse than Smith. Sure his AHL numbers aren't great but who knows what could happen behind a real NHL defence. And no last year was not our full lineup he played behind. If we are in a position to throw away points with Smith, why not give Gillies a chance then. There's no commitment to Smith past this year. Plus Smith can mentor Gillies like he's done with Rittich

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Locke

Time to fish or cut bait. We should not be handcuffing ourselves to Smith.

Handcuffed?

He might play 10 more games in Calgary....ever. Probably more like 8.