Irving's Last Start as a Flame?

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

This whole handling of our goalies is looking like a gong show. Irving not getting the ice time in the AHL during the lockout, is laughable. Sure he didn't impress but he was our de facto NHL backup, it should have been the priority to get him untracked and ready for the NHL instead of playing career minor leaguers. Now his confidence is shot so he can't show his abilities.

Another goalie situation which is weird is Ortio. He hangs around Abbotsford for half a season getting only a couple of starts. Instead of sending him down to the ECHL where he could get acclimatized to the NA ice, they ship him back to Finland. Now his situation in Finland isn't bad, he's won the starting goalie job on a bad team in a good league so he sees lots of shots and his stats are good but he could be doing the same thing in NA. He would have been available to open doors as our third goalie and saved a reserve spot. The whole situation is baffling.

As a Flames fan I can only hope that Taylor shows something, I don't have any faith in 33 year old career tweener, MacDonald.

I'd much rather have Ortio in Finland surrounded by people who care about him and have an interest in seeing him succeed, and being tutored by proven goalie coaches, than have him playing in the ECHL just so he can get called up to open the door. It might not have been the most convenient for us, but probably better for Ortio development-wise and for him personally.

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Not that it makes a difference, but Irving will he UFA after this season.

I'm curious about this. I know that in order for him to be an RFA at the end of the season, he has to play a certain number of games this season. Does anyone know what that number is and whether it is affected at all by the short season?

Originally Posted by squiggs96

Was he wrong on this one? Irving was sent down the day after; Taylor was recalled and MacDonald won his first start last night. After being shaky in the Dallas win, and letting in 2 goals on 4 shots against St. Louis, I doubt we'll see Leland back in Calgary again if there aren't further injuries. When Kipper comes back the team only needs one backup. I'm guessing Ramo will be here next year. I don't see how Irving plays another game for Calgary.

Too early to say if he was wrong. There is still a lot of time left to call Irving back up. He needs to work on some things and hopefully he gets to do that in the AHL. Yesterday, he backed up Brust after Brust let in 7 goals the game before. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for Iriving.

I agree though. Feaster seems pretty high on Ramo. I think management has higher hopes for him than they do for Irving.

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'm curious about this. I know that in order for him to be an RFA at the end of the season, he has to play a certain number of games this season. Does anyone know what that number is and whether it is affected at all by the short season?

He needs 18 more games with 30+ minutes played to stay a restricted free agent, so chances are he'll be a UFA unless he signs an extension.

[Montag]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

That Vancouver game had absolutely nothing to do with Irving. He kept the score respectable.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. How did he keep the score respectable? We lost 5-1. How is that not a blowout by anyone's definition?

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I think he's done here and I wish him the best wherever he ends up. I think this is Kipper's last year as a Flame and if any kind of rebuild happens I think Ramo will become our new #1 with Ortio as the backup. I think the Flames have enough depth at goal to let him go, at least I hope they do....

I'd have to think the odds would be pretty slim that the Flames would go into the year with two goalies with minimal NHL experience.

[Poe969]

If they go into a full scalre rebuild they might, just to see if they can find a gem. If they go in the direction opposite to what they're in now (make 8th at any cost) and just let players develop, I could see going with 2 rookies...

[dino7c]

Irving likely had his last start in the NHL

my opinion...get mad if you want

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by Montag

This is exactly what I'm talking about. How did he keep the score respectable? We lost 5-1. How is that not a blowout by anyone's definition?

3 of the goals were from colossal rebounds that the D didn't pick up

[Poe969]

so is it the D's fault for not picking them up or his for allowing a "colossal rebound"?

[Hugh Jahrmes]

TIL our d needs to help cover the fact that Irving has less than desirable rebound control.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I'd have to think the odds would be pretty slim that the Flames would go into the year with two goalies with minimal NHL experience.

Agreed. I have no doubt Kipper will be back next year with Ramo backing him and probably starting every 3rd game or so.