Joey MacDonald Our New #1

[cjbl2]

Surely Kipper will play in our final home game on Friday against the Ducks...right...?

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by mac_82

Maher implied on the Fan this morning that Kipper has some bumps and bruises that are keeping him from playing. If we were actually playing meaningful games, Kipper would be in net.

Well that would be dumb since MacDonald has outplayed him by approximately 8000% this year.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

First of all I'm under the assumption that Kipper is done after this season.

As for MacDonald he's shown that he's capable of backstopping a young team that makes multiple defensive mistakes night in night out. I believe he should be brought back as an insurance policy next season as he's kept this team competitive and you need that in an 82 game season. Feaster's two European guys have a lot to prove and it's a recipe for disaster not to have a veteran goaltender as I'm not sold on any other goaltender in the organization at present time. If Ramo tears it up next season that would be great but until that happens you need a competent guy that's proven.

This. Exactly this. I was just going to post the exact same thing, so for brevity's sake: Ditto.

[Muta]

I think Joey Mac should be brought back. He's assuming the 1B role with tons of respect right now, and he's always been a talented goalie.

And whomever said he's old - not really. He's 33, goalies can go forever.

I'd like to see a Ramo / MacDonald team in net. MacDonald has earned it, IMO.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by #-3

I am also under the assumption that KIpper is done with the Flames after this season, I think 75% retire, 24% different team, 1% still with the Flames.

To me McDonald has shown enough that he should be the high workload backup while we are searching for a new starter.

And as has been mentioned already, after Abbotsford is done I would not mind Irving getting 2 of the final 6 games. Give him one last chance to prove he is worth qualifying.

From everything we have heard about Kipper so far it sounds like its either "Retirement" or "Flames". It really doesn't sound like he has interest in playing for another team or going to another city.

I do like the idea of calling up Irving this season so that he can audition in games that do not have any pressure to Win-Now. I think it would be a real shame if the Flames were to part ways with him just as he is getting to the age (25) where goaltenders start to become "NHL ready".

Speaking of age, Taylor is only 26 as well. It might not hurt to keep him around as well.

That way if Kipper does retire the Flames would start camp with Ramo, Berra, Irving, Taylor, Ortio and Brossoit and see who the 1a/1b goalies are.

I really don't see a point in keeping MacDonald around though. We have a goaltending coach who can do the "mentoring" for whichever goalies end up with the big team next year and I would honest rather maximize the exposure of the goalies listed above to see who sinks and who swims.

[mrdonkey]

I initially disliked him but I hope he is re-signed for another year. I wouldn't be comfortable with Ramo and Berra being thrown to the wolves right out of the gate, having a veteran safety net to take some of the heat off couldn't hurt.

[Vulcan]

I think MacDonald will be back and with the signing of Berra, Irving is gone. MacDonald and Ramo will make the big club with Berra and Brossoit probably on the Heat unless they keep Taylor then Brossoit will go to Utah. I'd like to see Ortio come over for camp just to see what he's got.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Hair bleach and Vodka

Joey Mac can stick around. I hope we sign him to a 3 yr deal. He's shown more than enough to keep him here.

1 year deal at most (I hope). I am assuming the Flames will sign Berra and Ramo for next season and Brossoit will be in the AHL. That leaves one spot available. Do we sign Taylor to a one year deal and hope Berra and Ramo has what it takes or dump Taylor and go with MacDonald for veteran insurance?

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I think MacDonald will be back and with the signing of Berra, Irving is gone. MacDonald and Ramo will make the big club with Berra and Brossoit probably on the Heat unless they keep Taylor then Brossoit will go to Utah. I'd like to see Ortio come over for camp just to see what he's got.

Utica is in New York.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Reaper

Utica is in New York.

Utah is the Flames ECHL affiliate

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Reaper

Utica is in New York.

Sure is. And Utah is where our ECHL team is located.

[t0rrent98]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I don't know if Kipper has the drive to be a NHL goalie anymore. He gets up for the odd game but mostly he doesn't look good. I wouldn't mind if he comes to camp next season and see if he wants to continue but I wouldn't count on him to stay in our plans.

I think he's a real honest guy and will know when he can live up to the commitment to play for the Flames or not. This could be his swan song, so everyone be sure to give him extra cheers when he plays.

Get rid of Malarchuk and have Kipper has goalie coach..haha.

[Roof-Daddy]

I am also assuming kipper is done here one way or the other. I think retirement, but if not the I can see him traded.

Assuming that is true, and the rumours that the Flames already agreed to a deal with recently acquired Berra, I can see MacDonald being re-signed as a 1A/B option. Especially since he was a goalie the Flames apparently had on their radar before claiming him off waivers.

I think it's possible we will see MacDonald, Ramo, Berra and Brossoit all at camp next year with Mac/Ramo platooning in Calgary, and Berra/Brossoit ending up on the farm.

[Stay Golden]

I would be disappointed with the Flames organization if Kipper doesn't get the ANA start. That would be for the Flames faithful fans he plays that game.

[Bertuzzied]

It's going to be dark days around here when Kip is gone.

Kidd, Wregget, Fuhr,Vernon 2.0, Trefilov, Tabarraci, Brathwaite, Roloson, Turek, Noodles.

God. How depressing.

[cKy]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

It's going to be dark days around here when Kip is gone.

Kidd, Wregget, Fuhr,Vernon 2.0, Trefilov, Tabarraci, Brathwaite, Roloson, Turek, Noodles.

God. How depressing.

Because past goalies from 20 years ago mean something now?

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

I would be disappointed with the Flames organization if Kipper doesn't get the ANA start. That would be for the Flames faithful fans he plays that game.

I hope he plays against Detroit. Unless Anaheim sits their top two lines, I don't really want to see Kipper's last home game with us getting shelled 6 to 1.

[Stampede2TheCup]

Originally Posted by Wolven

...

Speaking of age, Taylor is only 26 as well. It might not hurt to keep him around as well.

That way if Kipper does retire the Flames would start camp with Ramo, Berra, Irving, Taylor, Ortio and Brossoit and see who the 1a/1b goalies are.

I really don't see a point in keeping MacDonald around though. We have a goaltending coach who can do the "mentoring" for whichever goalies end up with the big team next year and I would honest rather maximize the exposure of the goalies listed above to see who sinks and who swims.

Irving and Taylor don't have contracts for next year and I think not only would it be a waste of contract spots to keep all of them just for tryout sake, but I really doubt both would re-sign into that situation. It's also probably not the best to plan at this stage to have two of those six guys on your list already destined for the ECHL. There's only so many spots for these guys in leagues that are best for their development, so the organization is going to have to cut one or two of them loose.

I'd also rather keep MacDonald for a year if Kipper is gone to backbone a young rebuilding team. Feaster has said he doesn't want to promote a losing culture during the rebuild and just throwing as many new guys as possible into the NHL is a very Oiler-esque approach. We want the young guys to learn how to win, and closer games will teach them a lot more. The team is also in the business of selling tickets. Not filling in the important goaltending spot well enough could easily end up in blowouts and losing fans. It's easier to go into it with MacDonald and move him out if the guys beneath him step it up.

[Split98]

Mac is fantastic.

By no means is he a world-beater, but he's shown himself to be more than capable infront of a very weak team defensively.

More importantly, he has the absolutely PERFECT attitude to help us get through some growing pains. He seems to have the attitude that would be a great leader in the locker room. I can just see him being more of a 'we can do better guys' than a 'you guys humiliated me out there' kinda guy. Something that can go a long way, as whoever is backstopping us will certainly be embarrassed greatly some games.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

It's going to be dark days around here when Kip is gone.

Kidd, Wregget, Fuhr,Vernon 2.0, Trefilov, Tabarraci, Brathwaite, Roloson, Turek, Noodles.

God. How depressing.

When the Flames are good again, they can get a good goalie. UNtil then, no need.