Roman's an interesting case. He worked his ass off to play 61 games in the show and I wouldn't be surprised if he was a bit disappointed that he ended up in the AHL.
But headed into this year, he's got the exact same chance at ice-time in Abbotsford that everyone else does and he's made the most of it. He's only 21 and has NHL experience. He's got a great advantage over most of the kids in the Flames system.
That is correct - Taylor made the most of getting the starter's job while Irving was away. However, Irving came back, but Taylor still kept the starter's job. Ward wants to 'win', and regardless of who was playing at what time, I would assume Ward would put the best possible lineup in the playoffs. This makes me think that Taylor was at least equal to Irving as a starter, or Ward would have put Irving in during the playoffs.
I personally don't really think Irving is all that 'great' - based on the fact that since his time in the AHL, he has had a good season, followed by an inconsistent season (and inconsistent stretches) - though it may very well just be part of the development process that goalies go through. He just doesn't seem to be 'way better' than Taylor or Brust at the moment. Will he be better? Who knows. From watching him play on the Flames, I didn't think he was really that 'great' - he just looks a bit awkward or something in net as compared to most other goalies for some reason. He certainly wasn't bad - just 'awkward'.
Yes, those other goalies don't have NHL contracts like Irving does, but that really shouldn't matter. There is contract space right now (which I know the Flames want to keep open to try and sign some NCAA guys or just keep open for possible trades in the future), but a good goalie is a good goalie, and anyone can be signed where they see fit. If someone surpasses Irving CONSISTENTLY, then I would have no problem awarding him a contract, and cutting Irving the following season.
Competition is only healthy, and if Irving can't rise to the occasion at the AHL level after so many seasons and beat out everyone else, then he will definitely not rise to the occasion at the NHL level. I am 100% confident that if he is a future NHL starting goalie (or even a good backup), he will just 'take' his opportunity. If Ward feels he has a better chance to win with Brust, or Taylor, or whomever else in the future, then the Flames also have a better chance of winning by signing one of those goalies and making that goalie a backup.
Irving has been in the AHL developing, and has tasted what it is like to be in the NHL. Let's see if he actually matures and shows that he belongs in the NHL by at least beating out two other journeymen goalies in the AHL.
I think this is the season the Flames either throw him up on the team (if/when the lockout ends) or cut him next season completely - but I do think it is 100% up to Irving. Considering he is a 1st round draft choice, he will be awarded all the opportunities possible. He either makes the most of it, or that is it with him in the organization after this year. There is no way that Ward will not play Irving - how much he plays will end up being on how well Irving actually performs. There is just no way that the organization has 'cut' him yet - but Irving will need to show that he is a consistent goalie for a season + playoffs - something I don't think he has quite done as of yet.
I agree for the most part, but again I come back to Irving only starting 20 games in the last 10 1/2 months. He was good enough to replace Karlsson in Calgary, but is not good enough to be given an extended look as starter in Abbotsford?
The AHL is first and foremost a developmental league. Irving is undoubtedly our top goaltending prospect in North America, and he should be tested as such.
That's how I view it, but I certainly understand where you are coming from.
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to HighLifeMan For This Useful Post:
When Ward said, "This is Danny's net right now," I couldn't really blame him. The AHL is weird in that a goalie playing back-to-back games is not abnormal like it is in the NHL.
So, when Taylor stopped 26 shots on Friday night and made some spectacular saves on top of it, it was a no brainer for Ward to put him back in. After letting in a couple of weak goals in the first period, I was wondering if Ward would give Brust a shot, but he didn't and Taylor rebounded pretty good.
It wouldn't surprise me one bit to see Taylor back in net on Friday against Chicago. The Wolves, like the Heat, are 2-0-0 so they're a better team than the Rivermen. So, thinking like "mysterious" Ward, do you burn a couple of games by putting Irving in as the backup just in case Taylor isn't good OR do you keep it as is with Brust as the backup because Brust "might be more capable than the other two [goalies]" (link).
It's so hard to predict what Ward will do and it's futile to try. But I do agree with you guys; sitting in the rafters is not helping his development. Period. Truly, I don't know what the answer is. Do you put Irving in even if it means some lost games or do you put a fairly consistent winning goaltender in for the good of the team and the development of the other prospects.
Such a tough situation.
If the organization believes that putting Irving in equals lost games then they shouldn't put him in net. But if they think that then he has no business backing up Kipper in the NHL.
I don't agree that putting Irving in net puts the Heat at a greater chance of losing. My belief (and it is just a gut feel) is that Taylor was the starter to end the season so Taylor is the starter until he loses the position. When I hear Ward saying "it is Taylor's net" I am not hearing he won it in camp so he gets the start. I am hearing he is the starting goalie for the Heat dating back to last season so it his net.
Which would be fine if the guy sitting in the rafters wasn't a high Flames prospect expected to be the NHL back-up as soon as the season starts up again.
In my opinion it needs to be the other way around. It is Irving's net until he loses the position.
If he did something in camp or practice that lead him to lose the position to Taylor then so be it. Ward and the Heat are doing the right thing. But if Taylor is getting it by default on the merit of last season then that is a poor decision IMO.
If the organization believes that putting Irving in equals lost games then they shouldn't put him in net. But if they think that then he has no business backing up Kipper in the NHL.
I don't agree that putting Irving in net puts the Heat at a greater chance of losing. My belief (and it is just a gut feel) is that Taylor was the starter to end the season so Taylor is the starter until he loses the position. When I hear Ward saying "it is Taylor's net" I am not hearing he won it in camp so he gets the start. I am hearing he is the starting goalie for the Heat dating back to last season so it his net.
Which would be fine if the guy sitting in the rafters wasn't a high Flames prospect expected to be the NHL back-up as soon as the season starts up again.
In my opinion it needs to be the other way around. It is Irving's net until he loses the position.
If he did something in camp or practice that lead him to lose the position to Taylor then so be it. Ward and the Heat are doing the right thing. But if Taylor is getting it by default on the merit of last season then that is a poor decision IMO.
Oh, I completely agree. I wasn't insinuating that Irving equals lost games. I was just sort of talking about his inconsistencies during his tenure in the AHL. At times, Irving can be the best in the AHL then a couple of weeks later he'll let in four goals on seven shots in the first period.
Taylor is a bit more consistent in that sense. He doesn't often have a terrible game.
I agree though that development should be at the top of the priority list. That's why I think Ward is keeping Taylor in net - winning as helping the rest of the young players' development on the team. It doesn't help Irving whatsoever, but it sure as heck helps the other guys.
The Following User Says Thank You to Pierre "Monster" McGuire For This Useful Post:
I just wanted to post this, because it is the easily the best opening video the Heat have had in the four years they've been in town. The Flames helped collab with the Heat video editor and came up with this:
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Pierre "Monster" McGuire For This Useful Post:
Oh, I completely agree. I wasn't insinuating that Irving equals lost games. I was just sort of talking about his inconsistencies during his tenure in the AHL. At times, Irving can be the best in the AHL then a couple of weeks later he'll let in four goals on seven shots in the first period.
Taylor is a bit more consistent in that sense. He doesn't often have a terrible game.
I agree though that development should be at the top of the priority list. That's why I think Ward is keeping Taylor in net - winning as helping the rest of the young players' development on the team. It doesn't help Irving whatsoever, but it sure as heck helps the other guys.
Fair enough. But I would really like to see how Irving does after his exposure to the NHL. He has never been a strong AHL goalie statistically. His SV% is always low. He has lost his starting job 3-times (Shantz once, Taylor twice). There are a lot of signs pointing to him being a bust. If it wasn't for his decent showing as an NHL back-up last season I would be close to writing him off. It is really sink or swim time for him. But they won't (so far) throw him into the water. Wasted opportunity if they wait to do it when he is on the Flames.
Guys, I also wanted to mention how much I'm liking the experimental Hybrid Icing rule they're doing in the AHL right now.
You just know, as a fan, that your team's defenseman is not going to get hurt retrieving the puck. Kind of puts your mind at ease. It also speeds the game up a bit by not having to wait for someone to touch the puck.
It's a small rule change and it may seem insignificant, but I would absolutely be in favour of it coming to the NHL.
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Pierre "Monster" McGuire For This Useful Post:
Does Taylor have a 2-way deal or he is just on a AHL deal? I know he is 26 but could he possibly be a future NHLer? It wouldn't be the first time a 25+ goalie prospect made the NHL.
Does Taylor have a 2-way deal or he is just on a AHL deal? I know he is 26 but could he possibly be a future NHLer? It wouldn't be the first time a 25+ goalie prospect made the NHL.
Does Taylor have a 2-way deal or he is just on a AHL deal? I know he is 26 but could he possibly be a future NHLer? It wouldn't be the first time a 25+ goalie prospect made the NHL.
another season like last year and i think someone will give him a 2way deal
The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Go Flames Go!
