Goaltending going forward

[N-E-B]

Personally I feel Ramo at his best is a little better than Hiller at his best, but I also think Ramo at his worst is way worse than Hiller at his worst. I'd lean towards Hiller.

What I want them to do is re-sign Ramo for a year and see if Ortio can earn a spot out of training camp. If he can, make a decision then. If he can't, then we're exactly where we are now.

[Psytic]

Sign Ramo Shop Hiller. I actually like Hiller more. I find Ramo puts himself out of the play a lot for the second save and hes not very athletic when out of the play. I think they are similar enough in overall talent though so rather than let one walk, you grab an asset out of this by moving Hiller.

[CroFlames]

It's a really tough call.

To me, I think a trade package needs to be put together in about two years time and get ourselves a bona fide #1 goalie, and not the poorman's #1. I believe neither Hiller nor Ramo are a true #1.

We have a bonafide #1 C, possibly even 2 of them. A slew of wingers, and a very good top 4 D. Only minor trades need to happen to bolster our D and F.

Until then, we are still rebuilding so the whatever happens to be best asset management is what we should do with the tenders.

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Sign Ramo Shop Hiller. I actually like Hiller more. I find Ramo puts himself out of the play a lot for the second save and hes not very athletic when out of the play. I think they are similar enough in overall talent though so rather than let one walk, you grab an asset out of this by moving Hiller.

I'd agree with you that keeping Ramo and shopping Hiller for an asset is the best way to go. The Flames currently have some potential goalies in the farm. Wished the Flames would have ran with Ramo and Ortio this season rather than go out and got Hiller through free agency.

However, I sort of disagree with the comment that Ramo is not very athletic as compared to Hiller. Ramo can play atop the crease and sometimes will go other further from the net to lessen the angle of the shot whereas Hiller will always go down on his knees tight against the goal like as much as he can. Hiller is absolutely not athletic in his butterfly style at all, especially at the beginning of the season where he just sits at the goal line for 95% of the shots. His game has evolved slightly in mid-season to come out of the net a bit, but I think Ramo's style has more flexibility. And yes, Ramo is more flexible than Hiller, but I've never seen a goalie as flexible as Kipper. Hiller looks stiff as heck since he only moves his pads laterally along the goal crease from one side of the post to the other.

With any of these goalies, they're better than average, I would have to say. However, with so many blocked shots from the Flames defencemen, you can even make any Oiler's or Sabres look good as well.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by DJones

If you have a one way contract pretty sure you have to clear waivers.

The type of contract a player has doesn't affect his waiver situation.

2-way contracts just mean he earns a much bigger salary in the NHL than in the minors.

1-way contracts are the same salary no matter where he plays.

Ortio is waiver eligible next season, but it has nothing to do with the contract being 1-way.


Regarding the dilemma, I would sign Ramo and keep all 3 goalies up with the big club. It's great to have so much depth and the competition for playing time assures we always get the best performances out of these guys.

Ortio, despite having shown us what he's capable of, is far from a sure thing. He's had a chequered history of inconsistency and will be coming off a long injury hiatus. I believe he has #1 potential, but keeping the other 2 goalies is a solid insurance policy and for the time being the team can afford the salary commitment (unless oil gets much cheaper!). If Ortio proves outright he is ready for the #1 role in October then I would trade Hiller mid-season.

Ramo has gotten so much better and stolen a lot of games this year. It would be a shame to let him walk for nothing as a UFA. That being said, we don't know what he's expecting salary-wise.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by saillias

Average goalies are a dime a dozen in this league. I wouldn't keep Ramo. You get that average .914 save percentage with HIller and Ortio can split the games and play the same role Ramo has this season. If he can't... There are always plenty of goalies available for mid round picks.

Exactly, why keep Hiller he is an average goalie making big time money. Try to sign Ramo for less than 4.5 million a year and trade Hiller. Hiller is paid as a top 15 goalie in the league but save percentage puts him as the 22nd best goalie (with more than 30 games started) in the league. Pawn him off for an asset and sign Ramo who can do the same job. Hiller is a slightly below average goalie being paid to be average who can be replaced by Ramo while allowing the Flames to gain an asset. Keep Ramo and Ortio and move Hiller to a team who needs a starter.

[Vulcan]

I'd re-sign Ramo and let the three of them fight it out in camp. If Ortio gets off to his slow start again, (he is coming off an injury) he won't win a spot and will probably pass through waivers which would be the best thing. If and when he gets a call up, it should be for a permanent job.

[5by5]

IIRC, rumours were that BT offered up Hiller for Stone. The coaching staff seems to be going forward with Ramo and rightfully so after his stellar performances starting with that last road trip. It wouldn't surprise me to see Hiller coming into play at the draft. Hiller's numbers have been consistent with his past performance/record and GM's know what they are getting.

I think it mostly depends on whether management and coaching staff see Ortio as a full time NHL goalie next year and whether or not Ramo is willing to sign for under 5 million. Many variables to consider but I sure hope Ramo does not walk for nothing in return.

Regardless, both tenders have put ego aside and team first with the 1a and 1b system and both deserve koodoos for that.

[Samuelsson]

I figure this to be similar to the Sven scenario; the majorty of us wanted him to stay, but deep down we all know it's probably not going to happen.

Same with Ramo. Most people would like him to stay but, it'll most likely be Hiller that is kept.

[GioforPM]

Given that Ortio is likley going to be looked at to start or at least take over at some point, I think you need to consider who is betetr on less games, a better mentor and a better backup. I think that would be the less spectacular but more solid (and experienced) Hiller.

Plus he is under contract. That said, that makes a return for him (say at the draft) better than Ramo, who is worth almost nothing in trade value because of his status.

[442scotty]

Both our goalies are average and if they don't cost us a playoff spot they wont get us out of the first round for sure unless our goal scorers prop them up

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by MJK

Ortio will challenge for the starting job next year. He is ready and proved it in the 5 games he played this season.

5 games prove nothing.

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Ortio's contract becomes a one-way next season. He'll be with the Flames, it's just a question of who else.

Just because he is on a one way doesn't mean he can and won't be sent down. He could be assigned to Stockton, clear waivers and receive his NHL salary. I think he could clear waivers due to goaltending glut league wide.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by moncton golden flames

Just because he is on a one way doesn't mean he can and won't be sent down. He could be assigned to Stockton, clear waivers and receive his NHL salary. I think he could clear waivers due to goaltending glut league wide.

He may clear, but IMO it would be stupid to risk it. Ortio will be in the NHL next season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by moncton golden flames

Just because he is on a one way doesn't mean he can and won't be sent down. He could be assigned to Stockton, clear waivers and receive his NHL salary. I think he could clear waivers due to goaltending glut league wide.

I think not. I think he makes it as far as the Edmonton Oilers' pick at best. Or Buffalo, who he could start for today.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by DJones

If you have a one way contract pretty sure you have to clear waivers.

Nope, means he's earning the same salary whether he's in the NHL or AHL.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Due to Ramo and Hiller both being inconsistent, it does make sense to trade Hiller and sign Ramo to maximize your assets. Plus, Ramo is younger.

Hiller @ 50% retention should have a few teams calling for him.