Ladies and gentlemen your backup goaltender for the 2018/19 Season.
Seems that the way the contracts are stacking up that it is Rittich back up this year, then Gillies taking the reigns in the future. I think they may be looking for a proven vet next summer, even just to ride shotgun.
Seems that the way the contracts are stacking up that it is Rittich back up this year, then Gillies taking the reigns in the future. I think they may be looking for a proven vet next summer, even just to ride shotgun.
Thats pretty much how I read it as well.
As far as a proven guy is concerned, the opportunity might arise during the season and maybe Treliving will have to pull the trigger then.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
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If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
@WesGilbertson
Just chatted with #Flames G David Rittich, who was relieved to avoid Saturday's salary arbitration hearing. Has other plans that day — his wedding.
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@WesGilbertson
Just chatted with #Flames G David Rittich, who was relieved to avoid Saturday's salary arbitration hearing. Has other plans that day — his wedding.
Haha! Treliving, you're a heartless bastard!
"I could always make you miss your wedding to spend time in front of an arbitrator as I belittle you mercilessly. Want me to put you on waivers?"
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
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If the Flames go another season without the Gillies/Rittich thing figured out they're really in a tough spot going into next season. Smith may just one up for another year, but the best case scenario is to find a starter from within.
I hope one way vs two way and waiver eligibility don't trump play in training camp.
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Hopefully, whichever of Rittich or Gillies ends up the backup will give us better than a .904 or .896.
In fairness, through January, Rittich had monthly totals of .923, .924 and .938, with only one sub .900 performance (coming in relief in the Edmonton stinker). In February he was sub .900 - that was when he had to take the reigns and even there he got off to an okay start with 2-2. It was the last four games (during that losing streak) that skewed the numbers. Then in March he was back to .921, including absorbing a bad last game against SJ.
If the Flames go another season without the Gillies/Rittich thing figured out they're really in a tough spot going into next season. Smith may just one up for another year, but the best case scenario is to find a starter from within.
I hope one way vs two way and waiver eligibility don't trump play in training camp.
Regardless of play in training camp, one way vs two way and waiver eligibility it still makes the most sense for Rittich to backup and Gillies continue to develop in the minors. Rittich has more pro experience. Gillies because of the lost year really hasn’t been a pro starter for very long. He needs to start games in the AHL for his development a lot more than Rittich needs it. Add in the waiver eligibility and it makes it a near slam dunk that Rittich is the backup.
Rittich needs to play in the nhl to continue developing best imo. Gillies needs to establish himself as a top tier AHL starter to best continue developing. So I don’t know why you’d want a short span of training camp to derail the ideal setup for developing both goalies. We want to develop a replacement for Smith sooner rather than later? I think Rittich in the NHL and Gillies being rode hard in the AHL best accomplishes thst goal.
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Regardless of play in training camp, one way vs two way and waiver eligibility it still makes the most sense for Rittich to backup and Gillies continue to develop in the minors. Rittich has more pro experience. Gillies because of the lost year really hasn’t been a pro starter for very long. He needs to start games in the AHL for his development a lot more than Rittich needs it. Add in the waiver eligibility and it makes it a near slam dunk that Rittich is the backup.
Rittich needs to play in the nhl to continue developing best imo. Gillies needs to establish himself as a top tier AHL starter to best continue developing. So I don’t know why you’d want a short span of training camp to derail the ideal setup for developing both goalies. We want to develop a replacement for Smith sooner rather than later? I think Rittich in the NHL and Gillies being rode hard in the AHL best accomplishes thst goal.
All logic ...
But necessarily the right thing to do if you feel Gillies is more likely to have an impact next season.
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In fairness, through January, Rittich had monthly totals of .923, .924 and .938, with only one sub .900 performance (coming in in the Edmonton stinker). In February we was sub .900 - that was when he had to take the reigns and even there he got off to an okay start with 2-2. It was the last four games (during that losing streak) that skewed the numbers. Then in March he was back to .921, including absorbing a bad last game against SJ.
Regardless of play in training camp, one way vs two way and waiver eligibility it still makes the most sense for Rittich to backup and Gillies continue to develop in the minors. Rittich has more pro experience. Gillies because of the lost year really hasn’t been a pro starter for very long. He needs to start games in the AHL for his development a lot more than Rittich needs it. Add in the waiver eligibility and it makes it a near slam dunk that Rittich is the backup.
Rittich needs to play in the nhl to continue developing best imo. Gillies needs to establish himself as a top tier AHL starter to best continue developing. So I don’t know why you’d want a short span of training camp to derail the ideal setup for developing both goalies. We want to develop a replacement for Smith sooner rather than later? I think Rittich in the NHL and Gillies being rode hard in the AHL best accomplishes thst goal.
Flames have a long history of horrible backups. IMO you play whichever of Rittich or Gillies is best now in the NHL. Flames should ice the best possible lineup IMO.
I like this. Rittich has one thing to work on and it's all mental.
He sometimes let's guys into his head which takes him off his game name the players that bump him and spray him with snow know it.
I hope he can control his emotions a little better because he is a good goalie and he can continue proving it this year.
I hope with both Smith and Rittich we offer a little better protection so they just have to worry about one thing "stopping pucks".
Also. Motivation should be high as Gillies and Parssons have to be chomping at the bit to make it to the show and playing well matters the most.
Love that clip of the Rittich save but it also makes me angry because it reminds me of how bad the Flames were trying to hold leads at the end of a game last year.
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Love that clip of the Rittich save but it also makes me angry because it reminds me of how bad the Flames were trying to hold leads at the end of a game last year.
Agreed, and that comes down to bad coaching/system. The whole passive “let’s hang on” game plan I hope is eliminated. They just let other teams waltz into the zone and set up.
