[News] Flames recall Joni Ortio

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by _Q_

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

Calgary Flames ‏@NHLFlames 39m
The #AHLHeat have signed goalie Thomas Heemskerk ~ http://cflam.es/1akIte5

[Scoutski]

I don't know if anyone is with me on this one, but I'm hoping Roy has a good showing in the few games while Ortio is away. I'd like to think we got something servicable with him and not just a spare part waiting to drop off the roster when his contract is done, would be cool if we had 4 reliable goalies under 30 in our two pro teams.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I already feel more comfortable with him then Berra... But the AHL and the NHL are obviously different.

There are NHL equivalence factors to predict NHL performance for skaters in lower leagues . Has anyone seen one for goalies?

[kyuss275]

Like the rest i am excited to see what Ortio will bring, but i think the real story is with Ramo down, is if Berra will be good enough to get another contract with the Flames. I don't think its even a consideration that Berra would get a one way contract, and i think with his play and age, as of now, he is on the bubble to even get a 2 way contract.

[TjRhythmic]

Originally Posted by 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.

Don't forget about that paycheck. I think that week in the NHL would equal a month or 2 in the AHL.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

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.

I wouldnt say the heat were struggling as they had a lot of scoring from all the young kids at the begining of the season. But Ortio has been a big factor behind the teams success for sure.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by TjRhythmic

Don't forget about that paycheck. I think that week in the NHL would equal a month or 2 in the AHL.

$67,500 in the A and $605,000 in the NHL.

Even one week here is worth almost $20k for him, or 30% of his entire salary for the Heat season.

[formulate]

Originally Posted by edslunch

There are NHL equivalence factors to predict NHL performance for skaters in lower leagues . Has anyone seen one for goalies?

I have been thinking about the same thing. Couldn't find any info online, so I decided to create a rough "jump" statistic for goalies going from AHL to NHL (or vice versa). Took each goaltender who has played at least 10 games in both the AHL and NHL (in the same year) over this year and last. Weighted the numbers based on games played. Added Berra and Macdonald, who don't quite quality, because they are on the same team(s) as Ortio. Hopefully I didn't miss any.

Results:

NSFW!

GAA rises an average of 0.33. SV% drops by an average of 1.7%
This would put Ortio at 2.41, 91.3% aka better numbers than Ramo.

Not predicting Joni will have this kind of success, but those are the numbers. Here's hoping Ortio runs with the opportunity and gains some valuable experience heading back to Abbotsford at the break!

[Poe969]

I've wanted to see this kid make it for a while. I think he's going to do well, I just hope our D can help him out a little. I think him and Gillies are the future of the flames in net and I like both of them

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I've wanted to see this kid make it for a while. I think he's going to do well, I just hope our D can help him out a little. I think him and Gillies are the future of the flames in net and I like both of them

Not that this will be the case but my hope is they achieve a ceiling of a Quick Bernier tandem. That would be my best case hope.

[flamesfan55]

Originally Posted by FakenHaken

Not that this will be the case but my hope is they achieve a ceiling of a Quick Bernier tandem. That would be my best case hope.

Wow that's not asking for much.

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

Wow that's not asking for much.

Wow.... you got that..... I also hope for world peace doesn't mean I've asked for world peace.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by 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

True dat. However, Gibson grew up in the North American system and Ortio has had to adjust on the fly this season.

There has to be SOME sort of translation lag between the two worlds of hockey, even for a goalie.. it hasn't seemed to affect him at all.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Scoutski

I don't know if anyone is with me on this one, but I'm hoping Roy has a good showing in the few games while Ortio is away. I'd like to think we got something servicable with him and not just a spare part waiting to drop off the roster when his contract is done, would be cool if we had 4 reliable goalies under 30 in our two pro teams.

It would be cool if we had more than one reliable goalie im the system (Ramo).

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

True dat. However, Gibson grew up in the North American system and Ortio has had to adjust on the fly this season.

There has to be SOME sort of translation lag between the two worlds of hockey, even for a goalie.. it hasn't seemed to affect him at all.

Well the first two years he couldn't translate his game at all. This is his third year under contract and trying to catch on. He's now doing great.
Goalies?

[strombad]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Well the first two years he couldn't translate his game at all. This is his third year under contract and trying to catch on. He's now doing great.
Goalies?

It's awfully hard to translate your game to North America while playing in SM-liiga.

[GreenLantern]

He played 10 games total in the AHL before this season, and those were in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.

So lets even include those numbers in my comparison:

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

Joni 'work horse' Ortio: 25 GP - 19-5-0, 0.930 save %, 2.08 GAA
.............................34 GP - 20-10-0, 0.916 save %, 2.40 GAA

I never said he was better, I just said compareable! I am not trying to say Joni is the new top prospect for goalies in North America, all I am saying is that he is playing well and has put up great numbers this year, especially compared to other goalie prospects (Like JB) who are considered at the top.

I think that is more than fair.

(Games don't add up as he must have been pulled for the remainder)

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by strombad

It's awfully hard to translate your game to North America while playing in SM-liiga.

Both years he came over and tried to find a place in our organization before going back to the SM-Liiga.
Look it's beginning to sound like I don't like the guy, I like him and I've followed him since we drafted him.

[Resolute 14]

Well, his "first year" was just a single end-of-season appearance. He definitely wasn't ready in 2011-12 though. Going back was the best thing for him.

[PeteMoss]

Regarding Berra starting tonight... I think that's a no-brainer call for Hartley. Berra's confidence already looks shot... if you put in Ortio over him right after a call-up it just looks bad to the rest of the team if you send Ortio back down when Ramo comes back.

Now after tonight, I think its fair game to start Ortio. But you have to give Berra the first crack at the job with Ramo out.