[News] Flames recall Joni Ortio

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Just for comparisons sake for those who might not be familiar with Ortio's stellar play this year for the Heat, lets put him up against a 'top prospect':

John 'golden child' Gibson: 31 GP - 10-14-4, 0.920 save %, 2.40 GAA

Joni 'work horse' Ortio: 25 GP - 19-5-0, 0.930 save %, 2.08 GAA

People will argue that one goalie has a better team in front of him, but if I remember correctly, the Heat were struggling big time before Ortio stepped in and gave them numerous solid performances for them to build on. I might be remembering that wrong though if someone from the farm team board can confirm please.

"Better team in front of him" when the Heat have how many key players in their first or second year pro?

Heat are just straight ballin', yo.

[Canada 02]

Gibson is 20, and 1st year pro; Ortio is 22 and in his 3rd pro season

there is the biggest difference; Ortio wasn't close to ready as a 20 year old, unlike Gibson

[getbak]

If I'm reading this right (and assuming it is correct), Ortio will be able to be sent back down during the break: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle16548337/

It says that it's just a trade freeze starting Friday at 3:00ET and not a full roster freeze.

- Why can’t some players play in the AHL? Well the league and the NHLPA negotiated a big, long list of stipulations over which players get an Olympic break and which ones don’t, a string of legalese that’s not included in the CBA. Basically, players who don’t require waivers to be sent down still get the time off if (a) they were on an NHL roster (or injured reserve) for at least 75 per cent of the days between Oct. 1 and Jan. 24, including being in the NHL on Jan. 24 or later or (b) they participated in 16 of the last 20 games before the break.

- Regardless of their age or contract status, players who fall into those two groups are deemed to have earned an Olympic break and can’t “practice, participate or play” with their AHL team at any point during the 10-day break.

Obviously, he won't be able to hit any of those milestones, so he should be good for Abbotsford.


Checking 2010, it looks like Backlund was called up at the end of January, sent down for the Olympics, then recalled afterwards. He played in the Flames last game before and first game after the break.

[Enoch Root]

Question on Ortio's status for the AHL playoffs:

Is there a particular date in which he has to be on the Heat roster in order to be playoff-eligible? Or will he be ok by virtue of having been there all year?

It would completely suck if he were in-eligible.

I would think they wouldn't want him sitting Olympic break either, so they will likely send him down on the 7th and look for a one-game stop gap solution for the 8th.

Edit: thanks, Getbak

[Gaskal]

After some thought I think it's a win-win in terms of goalie management with starting Berra against Montreal tomorrow.

Berra needs to get a regulation win to get that monkey off his back and to give him confidence at finishing out games. If that doesn't work out, Berra gets pulled and Ortio is given a no-pressure chance to salvage the game after watching the NHL game up close for a period or two, maybe checking out some of the Montreal shooters. If the Flames still don't win it's not on Ortio and his confidence doesn't get completely crapped on.

Plus aren't we undefeated when we use both goalies in a game still?

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Just for comparisons sake for those who might not be familiar with Ortio's stellar play this year for the Heat, lets put him up against a 'top prospect':

John 'golden child' Gibson: 31 GP - 10-14-4, 0.920 save %, 2.40 GAA

Joni 'work horse' Ortio: 25 GP - 19-5-0, 0.930 save %, 2.08 GAA

People will argue that one goalie has a better team in front of him, but if I remember correctly, the Heat were struggling big time before Ortio stepped in and gave them numerous solid performances for them to build on. I might be remembering that wrong though if someone from the farm team board can confirm please.

Bit of a correction here: The Heat were 4-5 prior to Joni Ortio playing a game for them. Not struggling big time, but an average record.

After Berra's callup, Ortio won 10 consecutive starts and pushed the Heat record up to 17-6 (MacDonald lost a game in the midst of Ortio's unbelievable start).

This was all between Oct 30 and Nov 24 when the Heat lost some top players in Horak (trade), Reinhart (callup), Jones (callup) and the roster in front of him was very transitional.

And off the top of my head, I can only think of one bad game he's had with the Heat so far this year. It just wasn't his night. Usually he is nothing short of spectacular.

[bluloc]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Berra is 27 years old, and has been exposed as a weak glove hand.

What you see is what you get at this point.

I'm more worried about his rebounds.

[Freeway]

My understanding is Ramo's NOT on the IR so Ortio CAN be sent to the AHL for the break.

[Freeway]

Flames confirmed to me that Ortio CAN be sent back for the break.

[tvp2003]

In his first year in Calgary, Kipper sprained his MCL and was out for four weeks...

Just sayin'

[HelloHockeyFans]

Maybe this will turn out like the time Turek got injured and the Flames ended up bringing in some guy named Kiprusoff as a temporary stop gap?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Maybe this will turn out like the time Turek got injured and the Flames ended up bringing in some guy named Kiprusoff as a temporary stop gap?

Kipper failed miserably as a temporary stop gap.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Kipper failed miserably as a temporary stop gap.

Dany Sabourin was an excellent stop-gap. Just not a particularly good goaltender.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Maybe this will turn out like the time Turek got injured and the Flames ended up bringing in some guy named Kiprusoff as a temporary stop gap?

Yeah at least Kipper got a start immediately and won against the Habs, 2-1. Coincidentally the Habs are also our next game.

The difference is Hartley is starting Berra, so it's like if Sutter started Mclennan instead.

[djsFlames]

Yeah, I say start him in MTL, while he and the Flames are both hot. Less chance of him getting a shelling and a slightly better chance of him pulling out a W in his first, which would be super sweet.

I also refuse to believe that we should be sheltering from the possibility of a tough game though. If he's to become an NHL goaltender, he'll have to have the mental strength to get past a rough game or two early on. If it completely throws him off, then he probably can't handle the league on a regular basis.

[Dion]

Nice to see Ortio rewarded for his efforts. Hopefully Hartley will give him a start.

[Gaskal]

Here's my dumb ass thinking it was pronounced "Johnny" the whole time.

Accent fooled me, what can I say. Yawny sounds less cool.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I already feel more comfortable with him then Berra... But the AHL and the NHL are obviously different. I'd still give him the start tomorrow against MTL like everyone is saying, if he's just as hot as the Flames right now, let's see if he can stay hot in the NHL as well. We can only hope that he's our next guy, we had so much hype for Berra after his first game. After that Berra mistake, I'm lowering my expectations this time.

[wireframe]

I want to see Ortio get a start, but even if he doesn't get into a game he will still benefit from practising with NHL players and learning from an NHL coach.

[_Q_]

So if McDonald and Ramo are both injured, that means we only have 3 goalies now? Who backs up Roy in Abbotsford?