[News] Flames expanding goalie deparment. Sigalet named director. Labarbera new goalie coach

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I assume he must be a really good guy and the organization likes the person as a lot of organizations would have turned the page on the goaltending coach after a run the Flames had. Nothing wrong with keeping good people and finding roles they are suited for which is what appears they did here.

I continue to believe that none of us has a good grasp at all on Sigalet's strengths and weaknesses; I think it is fair to assume that he is in his new position on merit, and not because the Flames were actively seeking to remove him from his goaltending coaching duties.

[Canada 02]

same structure as the Islanders with Mitch Korn as the Director of Goaltending and some other dude as the goalie coach

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I believe you are, in fact, wrong about this. I distinctly recall a story a couple years ago about how much Sigalet was pushing for the Flames to sign Rittich and get him over to NA.

That night at O2 Arena in the Czech Republic capital three years ago, Derek MacKinnon was specifically scouting forward Daniel Pribyl, with Sparta Prague playing host to Mida Boleslav BK.

"The final might've been 6-2, 7-2, 6-4,'' recalls the Flames' director of pro personnel. "A high-scoring game where he let in six goals and Sparta might've had an empty-netter to make it seven.

"But there was still something about this guy in net …

"Time-frame wise, we had gone through a boatload of goalies the year before and that year ... so Brad (Treliving) had made a real point that we needed depth at the position organizationally.

"Not just in Calgary. And age-specific.

"So this guy just stood out. Quick laterally. He made a couple of really good saves on breakaways.

"From there, (goaltending coach) Jordan Sigalet took over. He loved his game after seeing tape. Immediately. To the point where you were going: 'Like, really, Jordan?'"

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flam...sk/c-295375058

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I continue to believe that none of us has a good grasp at all on Sigalet's strengths and weaknesses; I think it is fair to assume that he is in his new position on merit, and not because the Flames were actively seeking to remove him from his goaltending coaching duties.

And I continue to believe he wasn't a great goaltender coach. I also think it's fair to assume if the team really, really thought he was the best man to be coaching the goaltenders they wouldn't have moved him to a different position.

[savardandjokinen]

Well if Sigalet is a bad coach but has a good eye for talent then this series of moves is really great honestly

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

And I continue to believe he wasn't a great goaltender coach. I also think it's fair to assume if the team really, really thought he was the best man to be coaching the goaltenders they wouldn't have moved him to a different position.

But in the end what you believe and what I believe doesn't amount to anything. I just think it is silly to form firm opinions about something about which we know so little.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flam...sk/c-295375058

After returning to your post, I think I might have misread what you were saying. In the end I think we are on the same page.

[Geeoff]

I remember Labarbera always having Metallica masks

[ComixZone]

I love the stance the organization finally took on the goaltending position this off-season.

Done are the days of hoping cast-offs from other teams develop into something they’ve never been before landing in Calgary. They went out and dropped the biggest contract on the highest quality goalie available and have now formed a modern/new-age goaltending department within the organization.

The position is too damn important to manage it the way the Flames have since Kiprusoff’s departure. You can’t be a top team unless you have top goaltending.

[Sandman]

I'm just happy for the Labarbara's. He and Kodette have loved Calgary for a long time (she raved about the city on Hockey Wives every chance she got), and they love our infrastructure for dealing with special needs children. It's great to see Jason being able to continue his career here with a more important role. I think he will excel.

[dustygoon]

Markstrom worked with Ian Clark. Probably not a coincidence that he wanted an upgrade or at least a different voice after some time with JS. Not sure if lebarbara is the guy but glad to see investment in the position.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I remember Labarbera always having Metallica masks

That and wrestling. Or a combination of the two.

I always kind of wanted him to get signed or traded to the Flames even if it was just short term in the minors to see what he could come up with in Flames colors.

[Strange Brew]

So in reading the posts in this thread, it appears Sigalet was involved in both goalie talent procurement and talent development. Given the lack of success at the goalie position during his tenure, we should all be happy that someone else is now involved.

[djsFlames]

While he may have a good eye for talent i wasn't liking Sigalet as goalie coach so I think this is a good move.

If anything it could serve to rid ourselves of the bad juju that has overcome the last dozen or so goalies which for some reason or other sooner or later slipped into mediocrity.

We need things to be different in the crease this year. Solid with no question marks. Makes sense to turn a leaf in the whole department.

[djsFlames]

Dp.

[keenan87]

Has Labarbera ever worked with Markstrom in the past? I wonder if he had a say.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Has Labarbera ever worked with Markstrom in the past? I wonder if he had a say.

Based on his hockeydb page it does not look like it. LaBarbara spent only one year in the Canucks org.

[Enoch Root]

I can see it now... we will finally have our first truly great goalie since Kipper, just in time for Labarbera to start as the goalie coach. And everyone will love Labarbera the same way they hate Sigalet.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Nice, LaBarbera and his wife are good people.

Please tell me her name is "Hanna"

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Based on his hockeydb page it does not look like it. LaBarbara spent only one year in the Canucks org.

He backed up Luongo. Only player still around from Babs time here is Edler... now that you greedy jackals took Tanev.

Nothing bad ever comes from putting money into a position that needs more one on one work than any other position in hockey. I think at one point in recent years the Canucks had three or four different people working with goalies in the organization at the same time, though many of them working on a part-time basis.