Feb 17 Practice - Hiller starts against Wild

[Huntingwhale]

I remember the good ol' days of Mcelhinney, Irving, Joseph and plethora of other ''quality'' backups that rode behind Kipper during his days. Ah the memories. A guaranteed loss, the players sucking and they'd be lucky to get 2 wins all season. Finally we have a guy who can actually win us games and low and behold he actually has a winning record! Keep Ramo. I don't get the whole Hiller is better the Ramo debate. Who cares? Finally we have a decent 1a/1b situation going on. The best asset management in this case is to hold onto him until Ortio's 1way kicks in next season.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by FBI

Not about Colborne lol

Yeah, there were just one or two posts about his commitment at the optional. My original questions still stand haha

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

This.

Remember when Irving had a pretty good call-up??

No, I remember him looking like a decent backup but never what Ortio has shown. That being said I would rather keep Ramo just in case an injury happens in net. He won't fetch decent value in a trade anyhow.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I remember the good ol' days of Mcelhinney, Irving, Joseph and plethora of other ''quality'' backups that rode behind Kipper during his days. Ah the memories. A guaranteed loss, the players sucking and they'd be lucky to get 2 wins all season. Finally we have a guy who can actually win us games and low and behold he actually has a winning record! Keep Ramo. I don't get the whole Hiller is better the Ramo debate. Who cares? Finally we have a decent 1a/1b situation going on. The best asset management in this case is to hold onto him until Ortio's 1way kicks in next season.

It's a fine line between continuing to stock up with draft picks and prospects as part of the rebuild, and keeping guys because they make us better now (that we will lose for nothing). Hypothetically we should be trying to accumulate draft picks for assets like decent backup goalies.

But I agree, fwiw. Because I selfishly want them to make the playoffs this year.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Sure, but not every expiring contract does—nor even should it—become a "silver bullet." Like I said, I get what you are saying, and I agree in principle. But what I take fundamental issue with is the urgency to trade Ramo. It IS NOT a critical decision, and for you to compare it to previous seasons' inactivity is laughable.

I'm not saying it's critical, I'm saying it's run of the mill, standard operating procedure for successful franchises that are not contending.

It's absolutely comparable to previous situations where the flames as an organization have foregone an opportunity to move a roster player out of their long term plans for an asset at the draft. You're advocating for just such a thing. Forego the return from dealing Ramo in exchange for assurances for a playoff push, regardless of whether he is with the team next year or not.

It's a definitive analogy for sacrificing the future for the sake of the present.

I won't be surprised to see the Flames make a deal in the next couple of weeks, even in exchange for futures. But they are much, MUCH stronger up front than in goal, and dealing from a position of strength, by weighing all things equally (the value of a potential playoff push is pragmatically just as valuable as another third round pick), the Flames are better off swapping out forwards than their backup goalie.

But you don't have to do one or the other, and in this case, Ramo doesn't have a No-Trade like some of Calgary's expendable forward assets.

They will be much more difficult to move and their values potentially lessened as a result.

On the other hand, Calgary is 3 goalies deep and need to open a spot for Ortio next year.

Calgary got Colborne and Russell for a 4th and 5th.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

per Russo

Vanek was missing from the Wild's practice. Yeo expects him to play tomorrow however the Wild are considering calling up another forward.

I wouldn't mind it if Vanek wasn't in the lineup tomorrow night. This would be helpful for our hopes of a win against the red hot wild.

Thanks for the updates sureLoss.

[Vulcan]

There needs to be a great return for assets at this time, otherwise you are telling this team that is fighting to make the playoffs, that their effort doesn't mean anything. This is one reason why I don't believe in trading Ramo or Glencross.

[EverfresH15]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Ortio goes to a one way contract next year. He's coming up IMO.

Ramo is a UFA and Hiller will have a year left IIRC. Management clearly thinks it will be Hiller/Ortio.

Hartley clearly regards Hiller as the number one. So the question is, do you get something for the backup or risk losing him for nothing, just to protect the games he may play from here on out, which IMO will be minimal.

Is that you Brad?

Ramo got pulled last night because the team in front of him was playing like a bunch of dip #####s. The Flames will not be trading him away either. That would be a stupid decision. As others have stated, if he get gets traded and then one of our goalies gets injured, you have an incapable backup.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by heep223

Does anyone have any insight into what's going on with Colborne? He is seemingly being pushed down the lineup, getting less icetime, skating with the extras on optional days.

Is it a function of the good play of others, or poor play by him I wonder? Because the latter, I don't see. I thought he was playing well of late.

EDIT I see above there has been some discussion so I will go through the thread

Looks like the coaches told him to start playing more physical. He actually tried to use his body and hit a couple of players last night. He was sort of awkward trying to make the hits but maybe with practice he could become a physical bottom 6 player.

[Flame19,289]

Smid still isn't back skating?

I haven't seen any updates, but he's now missed 11 games with an "Upper Body Injury."

Do we have any idea as to the timeframe when we can expect Smid to come off the IR?

[foshizzle11]

do we know what is even wrong with him? Concussion or something?

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I remember the good ol' days of Mcelhinney, Irving, Joseph and plethora of other ''quality'' backups that rode behind Kipper during his days. Ah the memories. A guaranteed loss, the players sucking and they'd be lucky to get 2 wins all season. Finally we have a guy who can actually win us games and low and behold he actually has a winning record! Keep Ramo. I don't get the whole Hiller is better the Ramo debate. Who cares? Finally we have a decent 1a/1b situation going on. The best asset management in this case is to hold onto him until Ortio's 1way kicks in next season.

How quickly people forget how well he played before Hiller got here. Now they can't wait to trade him.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Flame19,289

Smid still isn't back skating?

I haven't seen any updates, but he's now missed 11 games with an "Upper Body Injury."

Do we have any idea as to the timeframe when we can expect Smid to come off the IR?

He suffered two concussions in two months. Usually the second one is a season ender, just like it was with Crosby a few years ago. I wouldn't expect him back any time soon.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

He suffered two concussions in two months. Usually the second one is a season ender, just like it was with Crosby a few years ago. I wouldn't expect him back any time soon.

I didn't know that it was another concussion. Two in such rapid succession isn't a good sign at all. I was hoping that we were going into the deadline with one extra d-man, with Diaz playing better and Wotherspoon knocking, but I guess we should expect a lengthy IR stay, for safety's sake.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by EverfresH15

Is that you Brad?

Ramo got pulled last night because the team in front of him was playing like a bunch of dip #####s. The Flames will not be trading him away either. That would be a stupid decision. As others have stated, if he get gets traded and then one of our goalies gets injured, you have an incapable backup.

I'm talking about next year, if the context didn't clue you in. Ramo will be gone. He's a UFA at the end of this year, whereas next year Ortio is on a one way contract and so is Hiller. That's why I say management is clearly saying Hiller/Ortio. It has nothing to do with Ramo's play last night.

So if Ramo's isn't part of the future plans, get something for him now. I am not that fussed about playoffs this year (but I think Ortio is just as good and if injury happens, the Flames can call a backup up). I'm more fussed about long term development of the team and building up the asset base.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by -TC-

What time does Ortio's flight get in?

Training camp next year.

[JohnnySkittles]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

No, I remember him looking like a decent backup but never what Ortio has shown. That being said I would rather keep Ramo just in case an injury happens in net. He won't fetch decent value in a trade anyhow.

Really? Irving showed some strong promise a few seasons ago on a call up, played extremely strong.

[chubeyr1]

To continue the Ramo trade thread, oops I mean the practice thread. I like Ramo but yes the writing is on the wall. Will he be traded? I will bet money if a second round draft pick is offered he will be lol!

Barring that though he is great playoff insurance. I don't like Hiller as much as some of you do. I do not see the gap being huge between the two of them. Yet you play the goalie who is hotter and that would be Hiller.

Ortio should be a discussion for next season. I like his style more than Hiller or Ramo. Means nothing really though with such a small sample size.

Anyone know how Bennett has looked in practice? Heard he was battling for the puck with Wolf today. Looking forward to see Bennett play. Also would like to see them resign Wolf.

For what Wolf is, or we expected him to be, he has exceeded expectations. Is he an NHL player? I don't know yet but he has been checking the right boxes and has been noticed on the ice. Ferland we are all waiting for you to bring what Wolf brings and more...

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I remember the good ol' days of Mcelhinney, Irving, Joseph and plethora of other ''quality'' backups that rode behind Kipper during his days. Ah the memories. A guaranteed loss, the players sucking and they'd be lucky to get 2 wins all season. Finally we have a guy who can actually win us games and low and behold he actually has a winning record! Keep Ramo. I don't get the whole Hiller is better the Ramo debate. Who cares? Finally we have a decent 1a/1b situation going on. The best asset management in this case is to hold onto him until Ortio's 1way kicks in next season.

really really good point

[Dajazz]

Trade Ramo! Trade Glencross!

At times it seems only a select few want to make the playoffs and perhaps win a round or two.

Winning is a helluva lot more important for these guys' development than getting another 2nd round pick... Look north.