Who starts the season in goal?

[neo45]

I don't think any of them have the ability to be a starter in the league, but with goalies it is very hard to predict anyways. All 3 would probably make serviceable backups at worse so maybe one of them emerges as a potential starter.

One would have to think Ramo is the favorite

[tempz]

I want to see the European combo 1a and 1b. Gillies is world junior eligible right? Hopefully he can shut the door like Gibson and solidify his stud status.

[moon]

I think all 3 will be on the team to start the season and at least get 3-4 games each early on but if I had to choose two to be there at the start I would say MacDonald and Ramo with MacDonald starting the 1st game.

I expect MacDonald will be there to provide stability all year long and because of his experience gets the first start of the year.

[Enoch Root]

Obviously, MacDonald is the insurance policy and the team knows what they have with him. He will be on the opening roster, barring an injury or something drastic.

The other position is completely up for grabs. Ramo had the inside track, simply from the team's approach to the situation.

However, I agree that Berra inched forward with his WC play and his impressive showing at camp - not only with solid play but with the desire to come to the camp in the first place.

If I were to bet right now, I would say that the 3 of them will all still be on the roster on opening day and Berra will get the start.

10 - 20 games with the 3 of them and see who sticks.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by moon

I think all 3 will be on the team to start the season and at least get 3-4 games each early on but if I had to choose two to be there at the start I would say MacDonald and Ramo with MacDonald starting the 1st game.

I expect MacDonald will be there to provide stability all year long and because of his experience gets the first start of the year.

Probably. This will go a long way to helping us draft Ekblad.

[moon]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

Probably. This will go a long way to helping us draft Ekblad.

I don't think it really matters much who they play because none of these 3 guys look like they will be doing much to stop the Flames from getting a top draft pick.

[FlamesAddiction]

MacDonald is a 3rd stringer and at his age, will probably take anything better than that as a bonus.

With Ramo and Berra, you have 2 goalies that are just entering their prime and need an opportunity to see what their value is. We're at a point right now that we need to farm assets and not watch the standings, so having MacDonald take a spot from either of them on a regular basis would be a shame.

I don't mind him as an insurance policy in case both Ramo and Berra bomb so badly that it is completely demoralizing to the team, but I just don't see that happening. It's not like these guys are ECHL scrubs, but I suppose you need to prepare for the worst.

[tvp2003]

I just hope that both Ramo and Berra get at least 20-25 games to show what they can do. The worst thing that can happen is that Mac plays 60 games and Ramo and/or Berra have rode the pine, basically wasting a season of development/experience.

^^ Yeah, basically what FlamesAddiction said

[Stay Golden]

Joey Mac gets the starting job. I think the Flames are hoping Ramo jumps to the forefront but i think he will need more time same as Berra.

[_Q_]

Yikes, those "highlight" packages look absolutely terrible. If this is what we're in store for next season, I think MacDonald is given the majority of the workload. Hopefully Feaster can properly address the position next off-season.

[REDVAN]

My vote would go to Joey MacDonald.

[FlameZilla]

Ramo is probably odds-on favourite right now.

I'd put my money on Mike Smith at 180/1.

[vicarious]

My take from the videos was that both goalies have good positioning and compete level but their rebound control needs work.

I'm quite certain that Joey Mac will take the majority of the starts throughout the season but Ramo and Berra will get every opportunity to show what they can do at the NHL level.

Long term it's good that Feaster has so many possibilities in the pipeline that there's a good chance at least one of them will work out long term.

[The Swedish Flame]

I'm available and willing. Just waiting for Feaster to pick up the phone.

In all seriousness, I'm optimistic about Rämö and hope that he will step it up to be able to compete in the NHL.

Reto Berra's performance in the World Championships was also really encouraging though, so who knows.

[Icon]

I'm guessing Macdonald plays game 1. Berra game 2. Ramo game 3.

After that, it's a crapshoot. Whoever plays their way out of a job gets waived/traded.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Icon

I'm guessing Macdonald plays game 1. Berra game 2. Ramo game 3.

After that, it's a crapshoot. Whoever plays their way out of a job gets waived/traded.

Really not interested in a three headed monster. Its going to be an interesting season, but I think we'll have a good idea after pre-season.

[gilligans_off]

From what I've seen it looks like Ramo is the best option. Mac is good but shouldn't be counted on as a full time starter. Berra looks good but to me is more of a positional blocking kind of goalie better suited to back up for the time being.

[dissentowner]

I think Ramo is the real deal and will be the #1.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by gilligans_off

From what I've seen it looks like Ramo is the best option. Mac is good but shouldn't be counted on as a full time starter. Berra looks good but to me is more of a positional blocking kind of goalie better suited to back up for the time being.

I think MacDonald is there just in case, and to provide some veteran leadership. His contract more or less defines his role on the team.

"Show them how things are done in the NHL, step in from time to time and then get lost."

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Locke

Really not interested in a three headed monster. Its going to be an interesting season, but I think we'll have a good idea after pre-season.

^ Not only would I rather not see the 3 headed monster in net but I would 100% rather use that spot in the pressbox to rotate 3 skaters through the roster. People are already thinking we will carry 8 D on the roster, which would restrict us to only 1 extra forward. If we end up with 8 D and a 3 goalies on the roster then there is only room for 12 forwards.

Therefore, I am hoping to come out of the preseason with Ramo-Berra and MacDonald gets traded to a contending team that needs a solid backup for their push and really want to give up a 2nd round pick for him.