QOTD: Pick your tandem

[kyuss275]

Not sure where to put this but does anybody know how San Jose sharks goaltending has been this pre-season? Its the only team i can think of that might want an experienced back-up/ 1b goalie and willing to pay $2 + million for it. ( that's assuming team will only take flames goaltender at 50% off)

[codynw]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Not sure where to put this but does anybody know how San Jose sharks goaltending has been this pre-season? Its the only team i can think of that might want an experienced back-up/ 1b goalie and willing to pay $2 + million for it. ( that's assuming team will only take flames goaltender at 50% off)

I think Martin Jones has been pretty solid for them so far. I know he got a shutout in one game.

They might want a more proven guy than Stalock to be his backup though.

[Erick Estrada]

My believe is if they go with Ramo and Ortio that there will be immense pressure on Ortio as I don't believe this team makes the playoffs if Ramo has to start 50+ games.

[indes]

Ortio and whoever for me, I would keep the one who has less of a problem being relied on the most

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

My believe is if they go with Ramo and Ortio that there will be immense pressure on Ortio as I don't believe this team makes the playoffs if Ramo has to start 50+ games.

Disagree entirely. I think Ramo had an off year last season, and am hoping that what we see this year is much more characteristic of his 2013–14 season. Once he settled in in the early part of 2014, he was one of the best goalies in the NHL down the stretch. He's done it before. He can do it again.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

I think we should go trade Hiller if anyone. He goes down way way too early, doesn't hug the posts and isn't good at getting across. I think ramo is better fundamentally and less scary to watch. I think he is a good guy to challenge Ortio as well.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Disagree entirely. I think Ramo had an off year last season, and am hoping that what we see this year is much more characteristic of his 2013–14 season. Once he settled in in the early part of 2014, he was one of the best goalies in the NHL down the stretch. He's done it before. He can do it again.

Last year was Ramos best season in the NHL, so I don't know how he was "off".

I just don't think at 29 Ramo is going to get much better, plus he's never played more then 45 games in a season. I'd rather keep Hiller who's been a capable #1 and keep the pressure off Ortio and let him ease into the starters role.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Not sure where to put this but does anybody know how San Jose sharks goaltending has been this pre-season? Its the only team i can think of that might want an experienced back-up/ 1b goalie and willing to pay $2 + million for it. ( that's assuming team will only take flames goaltender at 50% off)

I honestly think the Sharks are eyeing a top 5 pick this year and have no desire to improve their goaltending situation.

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Disagree entirely. I think Ramo had an off year last season, and am hoping that what we see this year is much more characteristic of his 2013–14 season. Once he settled in in the early part of 2014, he was one of the best goalies in the NHL down the stretch. He's done it before. He can do it again.

Ramo hasn't played more than 45 regular season games since 08/09 when he split time between Norfolk and Tampa Bay and he only played 50 games between the two teams. Expecting him to play 50+ is a significant risk when his backup has less than 20 games of NHL experience.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Disagree entirely. I think Ramo had an off year last season, and am hoping that what we see this year is much more characteristic of his 2013–14 season. Once he settled in in the early part of 2014, he was one of the best goalies in the NHL down the stretch. He's done it before. He can do it again.

That's always the excuse with Ramo. The guy never settles as he's either really good or really bad. He is perfect for the same role he had last year in that when he gets the call he can go on a run of good play if given the chance then spelled once he slumps. Having to depend on him for reliable 50+ starts is something the Oilers have been asking from career backups and we have seen the results. Dumping a proven NHL starting goaltender like Hiller who got the Flames into the playoffs for a career backup would be something I would expect from Kevin Lowe or Craig MacTavish.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Last year was Ramos best season in the NHL, so I don't know how he was "off".

Statistically speaking, yes. But from January to April in 2014 he posted the team's best save percentage @ 0.919, and had a winning record on a team that finished in 27th place. He looked generally more comfortable to me in that four month stretch than he did over the balance of the season last year, for whatever reason.

Originally Posted by CMPunk

I just don't think at 29 Ramo is going to get much better, plus he's never played more then 45 games in a season. I'd rather keep Hiller who's been a capable #1 and keep the pressure off Ortio and let him ease into the starters role.

That's fair, and I think that is also generally true. However, I don't agree that his limited experience is a very good argument to retain Hiller in this situation. I flat out do not think that Hiller provides a better opportunity for the Flames to win games than does Ramo, and I don't believe that an additional handful of games (he played in 40 in 2013–14, and in 41 last season) is going to make all the difference.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

That's always the excuse with Ramo. The guy never settles as he's either really good or really bad. He is perfect for the same role he had last year in that when he gets the call he can go on a run of good play if given the chance then spelled once he slumps.

"Always"? Ramo only came back to the NHL after a four-year hiatus to start the 2013 season—two years ago. This is just totally disingenuous, as it fails to account for the rather significant transition he experienced at the start of his return.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Having to depend on him for reliable 50+ starts is something the Oilers have been asking from career backups and we have seen the results. Dumping a proven NHL starting goaltender like Hiller who got the Flames into the playoffs for a career backup would be something I would expect from Kevin Lowe or Craig MacTavish.

Well, I guess we will see what happens. Although dumping the better of your two main options in goal is arguably much more stupid.

To put it simply: I don't expect Ortio to be exposed to waivers, which means that one of Hiller or Ramo will be traded in the next few weeks. This also means that the Flames quite possibly begin the season with all three on the roster. If Ramo shows better than Hiller in their first few starts, then I would expect Treliving to trade Hiller. I would not then judge this decision as a poor one on the sole basis of Hiller's longer resume.

I personally believe that Ramo is a better goalie than Hiller (technically more sound, laterally better, and with better rebound control), but I am not about to foolishly commit to the same air of certainty that punctuates your post.

[kyuss275]

Was looking up San Jose sharks goaltending for pre-season ( this is a team i thought might need a goalie). Jones has had a stellar pre-season and could run with it. Stalock has not looked bad either. I don't see them wanting to trade for a goalie before the season starts.

Really get the feeling that the flames are going to have no choice but to have 3 goaltenders to start the season. I just don't see a market for an expensive back-up/1b goalie right now. Things will change, but it could take a month or 2. Having 3 goalies is not good for practicing and will be a distration. It also means one less forward or D man on the roster.

[Flame19,289]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Was looking up San Jose sharks goaltending for pre-season ( this is a team i thought might need a goalie). Jones has had a stellar pre-season and could run with it. Stalock has not looked bad either. I don't see them wanting to trade for a goalie before the season starts.

San Jose also has Troy Grosenick just down the hallway in their AHL locker room. I think he's capable of filling in if Stalock isn't up to the task.

What's going on with Halak in Brooklyn/NYI? If there's any uncertainty about his health for more than a few weeks, I'm not sure that the Islanders want to be in a position where Greiss is carrying the load by himself. Maybe the Islanders would be an option?

[EVERLAST]

Having too many goalies and what to do with them is a good problem to have. Hopefully it gets solved soon obviously but I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I like it better than the days where we had Joey MacDonald. What a joke that guy was. Throwing the team under the bus whenever he had a bad outing. At least they got goalies now

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

Having too many goalies and what to do with them is a good problem to have. Hopefully it gets solved soon obviously but I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I like it better than the days where we had Joey MacDonald. What a joke that guy was. Throwing the team under the bus whenever he had a bad outing. At least they got goalies now

Having 3 goalies durring regular season play is one of the worst situations a team can have. I have not heard a coach, goalie, player, former player , or media man ever say anything good about that kind of situation.

Sure it's better than the days of MacDonald or noodles as the back-up, but i like to think the flames are well past that point, and would never make that mistake again.

[Strange Brew]

A lot of this depends on what your expectations are for the Flames this year. If you seriously believe they can contend for a division title, I just don't see how you can go with Ramo and Ortio. I agree that Ramo passes the eye test but he has been inconsistent. He and Ortio would give you one of the least accomplished goalie tandems in the league.

I believe the starter that BT wants is not currently on the roster and whatever he does will be temporary until he gets the guy he wants.

[flylock shox]

The Flames have lots of room to carry a 3rd goalie. They only need 4 defenceman, plus a fifth in case of injury. No need to rush a trade.