[Signing] Ortio signs in SEL (Sweden)

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Ortio's consistency / ability to make saves was right on track for a 25 year old goalie.

I understand that Treliving didn't feel he had the margin for error, but nothing about Ortio's performance suggested he wasn't trending to be a quality NHL goaltender.

The SEL is a good fit though I think he would have been better off taking an NHL/AHL two-way.

Maybe a low quality one, or a medium-quality backup.

I didn't see anything Ortio did that showed he's ever be anything more than a backup and not an overly impressive one. And that's with 2-3 more years of experience.

Would've been a huge mistake for anyone to give him a 1-way, and he probably should have been thankful to get offers period. He seemed a little too proud for his own good though, so he deserves the bed he's made.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Let's not forget the two starts he had in three games late October, one on the road vs the Islanders and the other at home vs Montreal. Biggest opportunity of his career, biggest opportunity for most goalies to grab a number one position and he fully and completely pooped the bed.

I just re-watched that Montreal game last week. I actually felt bad for Ortio. That game seemed to be that start of the downward sprial for him, but the real issue was Russell / Wideman and a clearly struggling Gio. Ortio didn't didn't steal anything, but if those 3 could have played at AHL calibre that night, 3 of those goals never happen. Thankfully Gio found his game shortly after.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Ortio's consistency / ability to make saves was right on track for a 25 year old goalie.

I understand that Treliving didn't feel he had the margin for error, but nothing about Ortio's performance suggested he wasn't trending to be a quality NHL goaltender.

The SEL is a good fit though I think he would have been better off taking an NHL/AHL two-way.

If this was true why is he out of the league? He would have been scouted enough that if there was really something there, there would have been an opportunity

[Strange Brew]

It's difficult to speak to the level of coaching and instruction Ortio received but as pointed out, this is a results business and he was inconsistent in the AHL too. I suspect many goalies have succeeded without being mentored by a high quality NHL goalie.

As for the Flames ability to develop NHL goalies, well I guess the jury's out. It has been a while.

[Finger Cookin]

I forget if Giordano was written off as a non-NHL quality player when he went to Russia or not. Some players just take longer to get there. Ortio may be one of them, or he may never see another NHL contract. Only time will tell.

[btimbit]

I remember not even a year ago being scared that he'd be claimed from waivers

[Firebot]

Ortio made his bed by refusing to go down in the middle of the year on a conditioning stint and holding out for a 1 year deal the year before. Whether it was because he wanted the NHL dollars short term, he destroyed his chances of a contract this year.

2015-16 Calgary Flames NHL 22 0 2 1187 55 0 1 2.76 7 9 3 509 0.902 - - -
2015-16 Stockton Heat AHL 20 0 2 1055 59 3 0 3.36 9 9 0 491 0.893 -

.893 in the AHL and .902 in the NHL is not what gives a 1 one way NHL deal

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I remember not even a year ago being scared that he'd be claimed from waivers

We are indeed a very fearful fan base.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I forget if Giordano was written off as a non-NHL quality player when he went to Russia or not. .

He was not.
He was offered a 2 way deal so the organization still saw potential, but he wanted 1-way.
Of course we don't know for sure that Ortio wasn't given a 2 way offer by someone. I doubt he was - but we don't know.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I guess he didn't like the AHL life as signing a 2-way would have at least left the door open to the NHL. Not sure if he will ever be back if he contunues to stick to that stance as its all about putting in your time as a solid AHL season may be a springboard.

Stockton is a little bit danger

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Stockton is a little bit danger

As long as he stays clear of Lin Triad and the Galindo Cartel the Son's would always have his back.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

If this was true why is he out of the league?

Why is any 26 year old goalie "out of the league"? He's unproven.

I am not saying he's the next Matt Murray here, nor am I disagreeing that we upgraded in net for the immediate future. I am simply saying that he has thus far trended towards around where many successful non-phenom goaltenders his age were at. How great was our own current starting tandem after their age 25 seasons? I mean Chad Johnson at age 26 was Phoenix' 3rd stringer, getting a whopping four games that year. Brian Elliott at age 25 had a sub .900 save percentage between two different teams yet somehow started 55 games.

Just going by my eyes and all the games Ortio kept us in, Ortio showed he could hang at the NHL level and do certain things that were especially encouraging (smother rebounds, play the puck). He wasn't a finished product in my opinion.

If you disagree, that's fine by me. I don't need your approval of my opinion.

He would have been scouted enough that if there was really something there, there would have been an opportunity

Where was it written that there wasn't "an" opportunity? A 2-way deal playing behind Ben Bishop and Andrei Vasilevskiy might still constitute "an" opportunity. Doesn't mean that's a great opportunity.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Firebot

Ortio made his bed by refusing to go down in the middle of the year on a conditioning stint and holding out for a 1 year deal the year before. Whether it was because he wanted the NHL dollars short term, he destroyed his chances of a contract this year.

2015-16 Calgary Flames NHL 22 0 2 1187 55 0 1 2.76 7 9 3 509 0.902 - - -
2015-16 Stockton Heat AHL 20 0 2 1055 59 3 0 3.36 9 9 0 491 0.893 -

.893 in the AHL and .902 in the NHL is not what gives a 1 one way NHL deal

Yeah not enough people are making note of the fact he refused to go on a conditioning stint. That showed he wasn't much of a team player. How stupid do you have to be to refuse that stint?

And his play in the AHL was terrible. Sure he finished the season decently but his start was abysmal, he didn't do what the Flames wanted when he refused the conditioning stint and then played bad in the minors after being waived.

Then this summer he refuses two-way deals. He made his own bed.

[tvp2003]

You have to look no further than countryman Karri Ramo -- who spent four full seasons in the KHL before returning to the NHL.

If Joni wants to come back to the NHL he'll get his chance... he just has to earn it.

[1991 Canadian]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

We are indeed a very fearful fan base.

To be fair, B. Treliving was clearly afraid of that as well, otherwise he would not have ran with 3 goalies for so long.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Why is any 26 year old goalie "out of the league"? He's unproven.

I am not saying he's the next Matt Murray here, nor am I disagreeing that we upgraded in net for the immediate future. I am simply saying that he has thus far trended towards around where many successful non-phenom goaltenders his age were at. How great was our own current starting tandem after their age 25 seasons? I mean Chad Johnson at age 26 was Phoenix' 3rd stringer, getting a whopping four games that year. Brian Elliott at age 25 had a sub .900 save percentage between two different teams yet somehow started 55 games.

Just going by my eyes and all the games Ortio kept us in, Ortio showed he could hang at the NHL level and do certain things that were especially encouraging (smother rebounds, play the puck). He wasn't a finished product in my opinion.

If you disagree, that's fine by me. I don't need your approval of my opinion.

Where was it written that there wasn't "an" opportunity? A 2-way deal playing behind Ben Bishop and Andrei Vasilevskiy might still constitute "an" opportunity. Doesn't mean that's a great opportunity.

Woah. A little sensitive about this are we?

I didn't say you needed approval of my opinion. Why is it when people get challenged on viewpoint to defend it - they get so defensive. Stand in there and make your case!

I think the reality is that there are simply fewer positions for goalies overall.

This math is probably somewhat wrong but you've got probably 5-6 professional goalie slots in each organization between the NHL/AHL/ECHL. So overall there are 180 spots for a goalie to land in the NA pro game and as part of the direct developmental path.

That is compared to thousands (I think - math is hard) for skaters.

So each organization has to have a pretty high bar when it comes to how to use those slots. You are either good enough for an organization to use up one of their few spots on you - or you aren't.

Now there is a nuance that he probably could stayed in NA - but not at the commitment level he wanted. And at his age, I don't have a problem with him not wanting to spend his season in ECHL or even AHL. That is a personal choice.

But overall the small # of spots to put a goalie, naturally means that when given an opportunity - you best take advantage of it.

My personal opinion of the player is that he showed some ability to hang in the NHL, but not with enough consistency. If he was younger - I would have been fine to give him one of the developmental positions in the organization, but at this point - those spots and the coaching focus that comes with them - should be on other players earlier in the pipeline.

Ortio's upside is probably NHL back-up at best. Would rather focus on the guys that still have upside beyond that.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Yeah not enough people are making note of the fact he refused to go on a conditioning stint. That showed he wasn't much of a team player. How stupid do you have to be to refuse that stint?

And his play in the AHL was terrible. Sure he finished the season decently but his start was abysmal, he didn't do what the Flames wanted when he refused the conditioning stint and then played bad in the minors after being waived.

Then this summer he refuses two-way deals. He made his own bed.

Do we know that he refused two-way deals?
I didn't read that but interesting if true.

By some reports he also wasn't good in practice, particularly early in the year. Again, the 3 headed monster could have been a factor in that - but whatever - deal with it dude. Grab the ball and run with it. Every practice. Every opportunity. Every shot on goal. Show you belong.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

He was pretty bad at the beginning of the season but I thought he looked much better later on. Maybe not a future star or anything but looked like a guy that could backup somewhere or at the very least be a 3rd stringer. I agree with whoever mentioned Ramo, I can see Ortio coming back to the league in 2 or 3 years.

[Groot]

I like Ortio a lot earlier on and I do have some empathy towards him as I do think circumstances and the overall goalie situation didn't help his development a whole lot, but I'm glad that he found somewhere that will likely be a really good spot for him to play and make some money, glad the Flames have moved on cause it's time for a different direction (and one I love it so far) and he still has a chance to course correct overseas and an NHL door may open again. All good here, best of luck!

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

He was pretty bad at the beginning of the season but I thought he looked much better later on. Maybe not a future star or anything but looked like a guy that could backup somewhere or at the very least be a 3rd stringer. I agree with whoever mentioned Ramo, I can see Ortio coming back to the league in 2 or 3 years.

I might be crazy but I still feel that Ortio can become a #1 in the NHL. He can play lights out, he really needs to find consistency. He should've been cut loose with the others as the Flames did, but I think his development flopped here with the mess last season.