Opening Night Backup

[JetsFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by activeStick

I can see your point of view, but Gillies being waiver exempt likely means he goes down while Rittich stays up. I also don't think Gillies has been a whole lot better than Rittich.

Doubt anyone would claim Rittich

[Split98]

Are we through split-games at this point in the pre-season btw?

Smith had some stuff to work out, but I'd hoped that Parsons was going to see the 3rd. With 2 games left, is it possible that we'll be seeing all 4 goalies again?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

The difference is that Rittich hasn't established himself as an NHL backup, so his position is much more up for grabs than Smith. Also, backup goalie has traditionally been a position in which the Flames have struggled, so it's important to get this right.

Does Rittich's performance in 2017–18 count for nothing in this discussion? Yes, it is true that as a rookie he did struggle when suddenly foisted into a starters role in the heat of an intense playoff race. But between Nov–Feb last year Rittich was absolutely stellar in his role as a NHL backup. Bear in mind also that he likewise had a forgettable 2017 camp—played in just one game, and posted a 0.778 SP. The next time he saw NHL ice he went 6-2-2 with a 0.921 SP.

I am disappointed that the goalies in Calgary have not looked amazing here in September, but I am also uncertain about what that means—it could honestly have no impact at all on the season. I personally think Rittich starts the year in Calgary on the balance of his work from last year and the contract/waiver situation. Gillies is only a plane-ticket away, and if it is clear in the early going that a change is necessary then I also expect the leash to be very short. I would hope that Treliving learned from last season's unfortunate debacle with Eddie Lack that his backup goalie needs to establish himself out of the gates, but this doesn't realistically happen until the actual season starts.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Gillies has earned it so far. Rittich has been bad.

So disappointing to see the flames spend so many decent draft picks on highly rated goalie prospects recently like parsons, gillies and mcdonald and seeing them all fall flat as pros.

With a 36 year old starter it puts the team in a position where they will need to spend significant assets to acquire a starter next year.

That's the thing with goalies; their trajectory is so different and unreliable history-wise from the other skaters that it's almost impossible to project how they will end up. Honestly, who were the last couple of sure-fire draft selections that from the day they were drafted who are #1 goalies now, that came out as advertised since day 1? I would be curious to see a list, and I'll bet it's not that long not only recently but throughout the league's history. It just doesn't happen in the NHL that way with these guys and it's why we never see very many 1st rounders spent on them.

Having said that, I'll admit I too am a bit worried about not having a solidly entrenched backup or #1 G in net. Smith is due for a drop off any season now, and the Flames have been unlucky in the past with older goalies in the last year of their contract. Kipper, Hiller and Ramo are all examples of veteran goalies who played fine when they first arrived, but all faltered during their last season. My biggest fear is this happens to Smith this season.

IMO spending assets on a significant upgrade in net on a solid, in-his-prime under 30 goaltender for the duration of this core's window is assets well spent. It's something I believe BT has placed at the top of his priority list.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Split98

Are we through split-games at this point in the pre-season btw?

Smith had some stuff to work out, but I'd hoped that Parsons was going to see the 3rd. With 2 games left, is it possible that we'll be seeing all 4 goalies again?

Flames only have two preseason games remaining.

I would think they will ice the roster which is close to the opening day lineup.

I doubt Parsons will be dressed, my bet he is cut today or tomorrow.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Split98

Are we through split-games at this point in the pre-season btw?

Smith had some stuff to work out, but I'd hoped that Parsons was going to see the 3rd. With 2 games left, is it possible that we'll be seeing all 4 goalies again?

I doubt it. I think Parsons has seen his last game and will likely be among the next cuts and sent to Stockton. I think Smith sees one more game and Gillies and Rittich split the other one.

[gamesaver]

Given how much you guys put into preseason perfomances, I am confident we will be waiving Neal pretty soon. If preseason is what matters the most, then Parsons is a starter this year.

People saying Rittich was just bad are not fair. He was out there 4 times, was terrible twice and played well twice. He has been inconsistent, but not a complete sieve. Also, he was playing mostly behind AHL defence. That being said, I was expecting an improvement in terms of consistancy, but its safe to say its not there at the moment. Still, I think he is going to start as a backup and will be judged by his first 2 or 3 starts.

Worst thing to do right now would be to sign some washed up veteran like Lehtonen or Mason as that would push Parsons to the ECHL. A trade which would contain Rittich / Gillies and something else to acquire a proven, reliable backup makes much more sense at this point.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by flambers

Flames only have two preseason games remaining.

I would think they will ice the roster which is close to the opening day lineup.

I doubt Parsons will be dressed, my bet he is cut today or tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I doubt it. I think Parsons has seen his last game and will likely be among the next cuts and sent to Stockton. I think Smith sees one more game and Gillies and Rittich split the other one.

Confirming my pessimism!

I think 1 more game to get pucks on Smith and 1 game to choose a backup is a pretty good guess.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think many of you guys are forgetting that Rittich is a very solid backup.

His stats don’t look too great due to the fact that he had to become starter when Smith was down. Pretty unfair to label him terrible in the preseason. All of our goaltenders have been pretty bad in some stretches.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by gamesaver

...People saying Rittich was just bad are not fair. He was out there 4 times, was terrible twice and played well twice. He has been inconsistent, but not a complete sieve. Also, he was playing mostly behind AHL defence. That being said, I was expecting an improvement in terms of consistancy, but its safe to say its not there at the moment. Still, I think he is going to start as a backup and will be judged by his first 2 or 3 starts...

Is it even safe to say that much? It is very difficult to take any pre-season results seriously. That includes Czarnik's hat-trick, Neal's invisibility, Dube's dominance, Stone's torpidity, and yes, Rittich's inconsistency.

[GranteedEV]

I don't trust Gillies behind a good defense to not cough up demoralizing softies. Actually I just don't trust him, period as his technique makes me cringe

I don't think Rittich has shown he can carry a bad defense, as he struggles when exposed to grade AAA chances, although he's pretty athletic and positionally sound when the team in front plays well. He's a solid backup who could improve with experience. His game against the Bruins in the dome last year was everything you could ask for.

Overall it's Rittich over Gillies with the caveat the team plays decently in front of him.

So the question is - are the Flames a good defensive team? If not, then no backup goalie will do the job and we will need a high end starter to carry the team for 70+ games. I think the Flames are a solid defensive team and so I choose Rittich.

Also I don't trust Sigalet. One iota.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Throwing this out there... Mike Stone and Rittich to Ottawa for Condon and D-man for the farm.

Ottawa doesn't need a (relatively expensive) experienced back-up, they DO need an experienced D-man (and if they want to make a play at keeping Mark Stone a gesture like getting his brother might go a long way). Calgary does need an experienced back-up and I think Rasmus has shown he's worthy of the roster spot currently being blocked by Stone. The money works out pretty close and the reserve list balances out.

I doubt Mark Stone has any desire at all to play in Ottawa going forward, and with Michael holding a limited NTC - it's a safe bet his brother told him to put Ottawa on that list.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Also I don't trust Sigalet. One iota.

I don't think anyone on this board does. Not sure how he keeps surviving coaching staff changes.

[gamesaver]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Is it even safe to say that much? It is very difficult to take any pre-season results seriously. That includes Czarnik's hat-trick, Neal's invisibility, Dube's dominance, Stone's torpidity, and yes, Rittich's inconsistency.

Yeah I think you are right. He looked great as a backup, playing like once in 4 or 5 games, he was a brick wall. I have included his brief look as a starter last year into my judgement, which apparently was not fair either. When asked to carry the underperfoming team with clueless coach to the playoffs in the high competitive pacific division as a rookie, he somehow was not able to do it. What a moron.

[dissentowner]

I think I would start Rittich as the backup. Let Parsons and Gillies split the AHL games.

[Erick Estrada]

Just because Gillies is wavier eligible it doesn't mean it makes perfect sense to send him down. Next season he isn't so it may be for the best to see what he's got this season rather than leave to this time next season where you are forced to keep him on the roster because chances are he's going to get picked up on waivers due to his pedigree. If he shows he isn't up to the task this season then it makes for much easier decisions next offseason and I would rather Parsons get as much action as possible in the AHL because he looks more promising than both of these guys.

[sa226]

The thing that stands out for me regarding Rittich was how well he played last year in relief of Mike Smith. Every start he had pre Mike Smith injury, he looked just as you would expect your backup to.

That tells me he has the maturity and mental fortitude to come in cold and play well. Some goalies need to shake off the rust.

I want Gillies to win the job because we need to start seeing progress on the young prospects.

Rittich makes me more comfortable.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

[Strange Brew]

History has a few lessons for Flames fans in this regard.

1) Practice matters. One of the big reasons we heard for Lack not getting any playing time at the start of the year was that he didn't look good in practice. So while we have only a few pre season games on which to judge the goalies, the coaches are seeing a lot more in practice.

2) Waiver status matters. This is the team that was afraid to expose Joni Ortio to waivers so he sat up here doing nothing for weeks.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

History has a few lessons for Flames fans in this regard.

1) Practice matters. One of the big reasons we heard for Lack not getting any playing time at the start of the year was that he didn't look good in practice. So while we have only a few pre season games on which to judge the goalies, the coaches are seeing a lot more in practice.

2) Waiver status matters. This is the team that was afraid to expose Joni Ortio to waivers so he sat up here doing nothing for weeks.

That's a good point. We have incomplete information.

Although, I hope Brad learned his lesson from the Ortio situation

[pepper24]

I'd keep Rittich as backup. Let Gillies play more games in AHL with Parsons.