QOTD: Ortio Decision

[ForeverFlameFan]

Just carry the 3 goalies for the remainder of the road trip. Ortio can then go back to Adirondack, play the All Star game, and then get going again with them. He has proven to management that he is capable of playing in the NHL, so he deserves these last two starts.

[Enoch Root]

I think his rebound control has been excellent - better than either Hiller or Ramo (small sample size though)

[AdkOrtio#31]

Keep going with Ortio. Hes been playing great. Send him down to play in AHL allstar game tho!

[Vulcan]

Giving up 3 goals isn't that impressive but our alternatives have been blatantly awful. He has looked solid and sometimes spectacular and deserves the start in LA. Maybe the rest will do Hiller some good.

[thymebalm]

If Ramo is ready the best thing to do is to send Ortio back down and start making plans about how to bring him back up to the NHL.

If he leaves confident and on a winning streak, I think that's better than leaving on a low note. He's coming back. He's going to be a goalie for us next year. I know playoffs are on the line but Hiller and Ramo are both capable goalies and I think some patience and sticking to the plan would do us well.

I think going 3-0 on an injury call-up is a better story than going 3-1 and being sent down because you lost. But it's all semantics I suppose.

At the end of the day, you watch them in practice and you pick the one you think is most on his game and capable of producing a W. Everything else is just the minutiae between the lines.

[djsFlames]

One thing to consider is that Ramo has played the Kings very well this season.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

One thing to consider is that Ramo has played the Kings very well this season.

Yes, but some other things to consider are:

1 appearance in the last 30 days
4 appearances since Dec 4th
0-3 in those 4 games with an .862SP and 4.06GAA

pretty tough to just throw him into the biggest game of the year

[AcGold]

Play Ortio until he loses or it's back to back. Let's win now with what we have. Ortio has better rebound control, better reflexes and he doesn't let in softies. Don't care about roster spots, don't care about AHL all star game.

Make the playoffs end of story. If Ortio can stay above .930 keep him as starter until he drops close to Hiller. Ramos a good goalie, but he ain't getting us a playoff spot with regular soft goals. If ever there was time for meritocracy it's right now.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yes, but some other things to consider are:

1 appearance in the last 30 days
4 appearances since Dec 4th
0-3 in those 4 games with an .862SP and 4.06GAA

pretty tough to just throw him into the biggest game of the year

I didn't say it was the only thing to consider. I would still opt for Ortio over him as it's never a good bet when you're throwing in a guy fresh off injury. And Hillers last start scares me.

[remember2004]

His play is really making a case for himself especially with his 1 way as well next season.

[saillias]

I really don't see how the team makes the playoffs unless we keep running with Ortio (and he maintains a sv% above .920). We just crawled back into a playoff spot with him in net. The kid just beat SJ and Vancouver at home. You can't overlook these things.

Just sending him down now because of a number's game and seniority doesn't make a whole lot of sense. We don't have the horses to make the playoffs with average goaltending. We need GOOD goaltending. I don't agree with the idea we need to see what we have in Ramo. We've seen plenty. He's an inconsistent guy who can be a 1B. A backup you're not scared to start on the second night of back-to-backs. Nothing more.

[zyzz]

It's pretty obvious they are going to keep riding the hot hand. Small sample size obviously but he's looking good.

[Icon]

real question is whether or not to put in a waiver claim in my pool... :P

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Giving up 3 goals isn't that impressive but our alternatives have been blatantly awful. He has looked solid and sometimes spectacular and deserves the start in LA. Maybe the rest will do Hiller some good.

I thought he looked better in this game than in the shutout. Better quality of saves, huge timely saves and generally more confident.

[theoforever]

January 1986 Mike Vernon played his first regular season game against Canucks, winning 5-4 in OT and Vernon's era began.

..... and now it is Ortio's turn.....

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by theoforever

January 1986 Mike Vernon played his first regular season game against Canucks, winning 5-4 in OT and Vernon's era began.

..... and now it is Ortio's turn.....

Kiprusoff began his reign mid-season too a 2-1 win on November 20th, 2003. He took the Flames to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

^Repeat yourself, history!

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Kiprusoff began his reign mid-season too a 2-1 win on November 20th, 2003. He took the Flames to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

^Repeat yourself, history!

3 times the charm, this time we win the cup!

[wired]

I voted to trade a keeper. Pick whichever is better out of Ramo or Hiller.
We can get something decent for Hiller, as there are a few teams looking for goalies.

[Tbull8]

Rolling with Ortio and Ramo would be excellent next year. Ramo showed last year he can be a reliable 1B which would allow Ortio to play 50~ games next year. If Ortio falters we have Ramo ready to play.

Keeping Hiller and Ortio makes no sense as it would likely limit Ortio's starts since Hiller is more of a 1A. Add into that that Ramo is younger so there is the possibility his value goes up, whereas Hiller will soon be on the decline.

Added bonus - 2 Finnish goalies

[Rerun]

I have absolutely no idea what the Flames will do with Ortio.
I couldn't vote because my choice wasn't an option