"Take that Calgary Puck!" — SN960 and Calgary sports media discussion

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

Pinder has been pretty harsh on Twitter with Smith this season, might have rubbed some people the wrong way.

I heard Wills yesterday after the game, and he was almost gloating about Smith's recent starts and his slightly better stats than Rittich. Seemed like it was directed at Pinder.

Oh, I think without question.

I get the sense that Wills genuinely does not like Pinder. One thing that really stood out in today's segment was Wills's rather exasperated charge that Pinder is the smartest guy in the room. It struck me as immature, and I was actually fairly impressed at how Pinder deflected. Where he seems more interested in driving ratings for the station Wills came across as sincerely frustrated and defensive.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Both Pinder and Wills have been ridiculous in their discussion of this topic. Wills has been far, FAR too eager all season to give Smith credit for being better than he has actually played. While at the same time Pinder is so blinded by the first part of the season that he seems practically incapable of giving Smith any credit at all. He has also been nearly as bad in his own overtly glowing reviews of Rittich's performance as Wills has been of Smith.

It was funny listening to them go at each other, and props to Pinder for keeping his cool. Wills sounded genuinely upset, and I think he probably does not like Pinder at all.

Pinder hates any player over the age of 28.

In his myopic world as you get close to 30 as a player, you are old and done.

He is relentless about it.

Last year he locked onto Kopitar as being way to old and no where good enough to get the money he did...blah blah blah....Kopitar finished with 35 goals and 92 points.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I do think that at the end they seemed to pretty much get on the same page. The bottom line is the next 23 games will be what is important. Playoff goal tending is just as much of who get hot at the right time. A couple of miserable months in October and November have no bearing at all. This team will play who ever is the hotter goalie. The final 23 games will determine who that is.

Exactly, but thats what Pinder holds onto. He says Smith is done, not NHL quality anymore etc.

Since November 25th

Rittich 12-3 2.99 GAA .901 save%

Smith 11-4 2.73 GAA .905 save%

He refuses to admit when he is wrong.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by mikeecho

...The fact that he was on the verge of being emotional tonight because Pinder won't agree that Smith has turned the corner because he now has a mediocre SV% (playing all the empty net tap in non playoff opponents - which he either ignores or glosses over) is staggering. He even started his pre-game interview with Smith yesterday by specifically mentioning how lots of people had written him off but he'd never lost belief. Laughable!

So, as much as Wills ignores aspects of Smith's record to exaggerate his point, these are just the sorts of flimsy rebuttals that Pinder likes to respond with on the other hand to exaggerate aspects of Smith's record in an effort to ignore his more recent results.

Today he downplayed Smith's win in Pittsburgh by comparing his performance to Rittich's in Tampa and pointing to the four goals allowed to suggest that his performance was no better than Rittich's despite the win. In so doing, he conveniently ignores the fact that one goalie made 31 saves on 32 shots at even strength, while the other stopped only 18 of 22.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So, as much as Wills ignores aspects of Smith's record to exaggerate his point, these are just the sorts of flimsy rebuttals that Pinder likes to respond with on the other hand to exaggerate aspects of Smith's record in an effort to ignore his more recent results.

Today he downplayed Smith's win in Pittsburgh by comparing his performance to Rittich's in Tampa and pointing to the four goals allowed to suggest that his performance was no better than Rittich's despite the win. In so doing, he conveniently ignores the fact that one goalie made 31 saves on 32 shots at even strength, while the other stopped only 18 of 22.

I think it's apparent that both are wrong about the goaltending. Smith isn't the answer, Rittich isn't either.

34 GP 20-5-5 with a 2.66 GAA and a .911 save percentage.

vs

34 GP 15-9-3 2.60 GAA and a .912 save percentage.

One is David Rittich, the other is Karri Ramo (14/15). So unless you're one of those people who thought Ramo was the answer, you shouldn't think Rittich is either. He's a good half of a platoon.

Goaltending remains the team's Achillies tendon.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So, as much as Wills ignores aspects of Smith's record to exaggerate his point, these are just the sorts of flimsy rebuttals that Pinder likes to respond with on the other hand to exaggerate aspects of Smith's record in an effort to ignore his more recent results.

Today he downplayed Smith's win in Pittsburgh by comparing his performance to Rittich's in Tampa and pointing to the four goals allowed to suggest that his performance was no better than Rittich's despite the win. In so doing, he conveniently ignores the fact that one goalie made 31 saves on 32 shots at even strength, while the other stopped only 18 of 22.

People conveniently ignore a lot of facts with respect to goaltending that counts of shots and goals don’t capture

[Slava]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Exactly, but thats what Pinder holds onto. He says Smith is done, not NHL quality anymore etc.

Since November 25th

Rittich 12-3 2.99 GAA .901 save%

Smith 11-4 2.73 GAA .905 save%

He refuses to admit when he is wrong.

Wow, those stats are surprising to me. I’ve been in the “Smith is done” camp, but obviously I was thinking only is his earlier season antics. I still feel like he’s letting in more soft goals, but maybe that’s just perception.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

People conveniently ignore a lot of facts with respect to goaltending that counts of shots and goals don’t capture

The Rittich/Smith debate is akin to asking who makes a better hamburger: Wendy's or McDonald's? I may say it's unquestionably Wendy's, you may say it's unquestionably McDonald's, but neither makes the best hamburger you can buy, and we should all agree on that.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I think it's apparent that both are wrong about the goaltending. Smith isn't the answer, Rittich isn't either.

34 GP 20-5-5 with a 2.66 GAA and a .911 save percentage.

vs

34 GP 15-9-3 2.60 GAA and a .912 save percentage.

One is David Rittich, the other is Karri Ramo (14/15)...

I actually quite like this comparison, and I tend to agree. But I do think Rittich—much like Ramo—has POTENTIAL to be the Flames's long-term starter. He is not quite there yet, but I think there is a good chance he gets there soon. Fortunately for the Flames and for Rittich, he is a few years younger than Ramo was when he played in Calgary, and I think has even more room to grow.

So unless you're one of those people who thought Ramo was the answer, you shouldn't think Rittich is either. He's a good half of a platoon.

I was one of those posters, but I don't think my hope was misplaced. Ramo's NHL career was undone by serious knee injury—not by his on-ice performance.

Goaltending remains the team's Achillies tendon.

Probably, but I am not overly concerned about it.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I actually quite like this comparison, and I tend to agree. But I do think Rittich—much like Ramo—has POTENTIAL to be the Flames's long-term starter. He is not quite there yet, but I think there is a good chance he gets there soon. Fortunately for the Flames and for Rittich, he is a few years younger than Ramo was when he played in Calgary, and I think has even more room to grow.


I was one of those posters, but I don't think my hope was misplaced. Ramo's NHL career was undone by serious knee injury—not by his on-ice performance.


Probably, but I am not overly concerned about it.

Agreed that the knee injury ruined Karri's career; I would've been fine retaining him had he continued to put up his career numbers of 2.60ish and .910 as a stop-gap starter.

The net has been the weak link of this team since Kiprusoff retired, and the upgrades have been incremental at best. Where once we had rusted metal, now we have bronze. Which still won't hold up to the pressure of a Cup run. Obviously we have to keep Rittich in the short term, but he has to take another step. Ramo put up those numbers with a fresh-faced rebuilding team coached by Bob Hartley - Rittich is doing the same thing on the best team in the conference.

It's still an issue.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I think it's apparent that both are wrong about the goaltending. Smith isn't the answer, Rittich isn't either.

34 GP 20-5-5 with a 2.66 GAA and a .911 save percentage.

vs

34 GP 15-9-3 2.60 GAA and a .912 save percentage.

One is David Rittich, the other is Karri Ramo (14/15). So unless you're one of those people who thought Ramo was the answer, you shouldn't think Rittich is either. He's a good half of a platoon.

Goaltending remains the team's Achillies tendon.

Unfortunately this happens when a team doesn't have a true number one goaltender. We know Smith won't be back next season but I'm at the point where I can take or leave BSD.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I think it's apparent that both are wrong about the goaltending. Smith isn't the answer, Rittich isn't either.

34 GP 20-5-5 with a 2.66 GAA and a .911 save percentage.

vs

34 GP 15-9-3 2.60 GAA and a .912 save percentage.

One is David Rittich, the other is Karri Ramo (14/15). So unless you're one of those people who thought Ramo was the answer, you shouldn't think Rittich is either. He's a good half of a platoon.

Goaltending remains the team's Achillies tendon.

Here are 2 more.

45-24-5 2.84 .903
35-28-10 2.31 .920

One is Kipper with Keenan, the next is Kipper with Brent. First one made the playoffs, got bounced when his team was full of broken bones, and the second one didn’t.

In my mind, either way, he made the best hamburgers.

[The Boy Wonder]

Goals Saved Above Average.

Look it up. It’s the best stat for goalies


And yeah wills sounded like a fool today...

Pinder owned him when he said he’s there for ratings and to drive interesting content.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

Goals Saved Above Average.

Look it up. It’s the best stat for goalies


And yeah wills sounded like a fool today...

Pinder owned him when he said he’s there for ratings and to drive interesting content.

And who's got better GSAA? Rittich or Smith?

[Lil Pedro]

I thought the conversation was awesome, and I side with Pinder on this debate. Furthermore, Derek Wills needs to stop being a Mike Smith apologist...it's pretty bad.

[TheRealPepman]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/pinder-...on-family-day/

Listen to 01:30:00-01:42:00 if you missed the Wills/Pinder live debate. I did.

But damn whatcha talkin' 'bout Wills? Rittich is the undisputed #1. Why is this even a debate?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheRealPepman

https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/pinder-...on-family-day/

Listen to 01:30:00-01:42:00 if you missed the Wills/Pinder live debate. I did.

But damn whatcha talkin' 'bout Wills? Rittich is the undisputed #1. Why is this even a debate?

Because it is.

Rittich has had a great season, but at the moment is not playing any better than Mike Smith. There is still no guarantee that he will be the starter in April.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by TheRealPepman

https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/pinder-...on-family-day/

Listen to 01:30:00-01:42:00 if you missed the Wills/Pinder live debate. I did.

But damn whatcha talkin' 'bout Wills? Rittich is the undisputed #1. Why is this even a debate?

Ummmmmm

Since November 25th

Rittich 12-3 2.99 GAA .901 save%

Smith 11-4 2.73 GAA .905 save%

[Shazam]

It’s always better when Smith plays better.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Ummmmmm

Since November 25th

Rittich 12-3 2.99 GAA .901 save%

Smith 11-4 2.73 GAA .905 save%

What's isn't mentioned here is Smith got by far the easier competition in that time period.

And that's why it's fairly normal to see backups playing back up workloads with higher save percentages on good teams - they're well sheltered and draw in against less difficult opposition. Smith has barely outdone Rittich playing against generally lower seeded teams, also allowing 4+ goals against on more occasions.