Jon Gillies signing watch

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by sa226

Honest question, not meant to detail the thread. How do you manage two young goalies that could conceivably be ready to take over number one duties around the same time? (Ortio/Gillies)

Let them duke it out like Ramo and Hiller did? Or go the conventional route and choose your favorite, then trade the other?

Worry about it when it actually becomes a "problem". Gillies will likely be in the AHL for at least the next two seasons unless he's clearly better than that level. McDonald is 3-4 years away too. Next year it's likely Hiller/Ortio then suddenly It's Ortio/Gillies/McDonald in 16/17 unless a veteran is brought in. I guess what I'm saying is the situation will sort itself out. Best case scenario is everyone develops better than expected and we have an extra goalie that can be used as a trade chip.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by sa226

Honest question, not meant to detail the thread. How do you manage two young goalies that could conceivably be ready to take over number one duties around the same time? (Ortio/Gillies)

Let them duke it out like Ramo and Hiller did? Or go the conventional route and choose your favorite, then trade the other?

Ortio has proven in a handful of games that he's got potential as an NHL goalie, but yet to prove that he's a #1, and Gillies hasn't even played professional hockey yet. I don't think this is an issue quite yet, but I agree that they could pose problems as soon as next year, but more likely the year after.

I think the approach, especially with goalies who get close to no experience as a back-up, is to make sure that they are actually playing to develop. I don't think you intentionally bring two young, developing goalies into the NHL together unless out of absolute necessity. For that reason, Gillies will likely be served paying his dues in the AHL, proven that he can dominate in another league, and get used to the pace.

As some point, let them duke it out. But you can't throw a 21 year old goalie into a dogfight for his career, and banish him to backup if he isn't already cut out for an NHL starting gig. That fight happens in training camp, so that he can be appropriately assigned to a starting role somewhere else without sitting around twiddling thumbs during a season.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by sa226

Honest question, not meant to detail the thread. How do you manage two young goalies that could conceivably be ready to take over number one duties around the same time? (Ortio/Gillies)

Let them duke it out like Ramo and Hiller did? Or go the conventional route and choose your favorite, then trade the other?

Trade Hiller. Sign Ramo for 2 years. Ramo/Ortio NHL tandem. Gillies/AHL vet AHL tandem.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by nik-

Trade Hiller. Sign Ramo for 2 years. Ramo/Ortio NHL tandem. Gillies/AHL vet AHL tandem.

Not sure I like a guy with as little experience as Ramo being the vet at the NHL level. Mind you, Hiller gets a better trade return than the 4th or 5th Ramo gets you now.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

AHL plays a lot of back-to-back games including 3 in 3 nights on the weekends. This might change now with the new division but if its similar then them splitting games won't be an issue. Both need to play. You can send Gillies down to ECHL for a week too if Oreo gets on a hot streak.

Then again, it might just change and Ramo leaves and Oreo moves up. Maybe Ramo re-signs and Hiller is dealt. All to soon to think about right now.

I don't know if they'll risk losing Ortio on waivers in the fall, so the net in Stockton will likely belong to Gillies next season.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Not sure I like a guy with as little experience as Ramo being the vet at the NHL level. Mind you, Hiller gets a better trade return than the 4th or 5th Ramo gets you now.

At this point Ramo get's you nothing in a trade unless you get him signed to an extension first, and he's likely not willing to sign one unless the situation is sorted out.

It would be tough to go into next season with Ramo and Ortio as the tandem since both guys still have a bit to prove at the NHL level. At least Hiller has a fair bit of proven NHL experience.

Ramo can be a good tender, but at this point too many health concerns for me to want to hitch my wagon to him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

At this point Ramo get's you nothing in a trade unless you get him signed to an extension first, and he's likely not willing to sign one unless the situation is sorted out.

It would be tough to go into next season with Ramo and Ortio as the tandem since both guys still have a bit to prove at the NHL level. At least Hiller has a fair bit of proven NHL experience.

Ramo can be a good tender, but at this point too many health concerns for me to want to hitch my wagon to him.

No, you can do a deal with a team who will sign him, or feels like it's a lock if they get a head start on UFA (like when Calgary got Jaybo's rights).

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

No, you can do a deal with a team who will sign him, or feels like it's a lock if they get a head start on UFA (like when Calgary got Jaybo's rights).

I don't see any team trading a draft pick for Kari Ramo's negotiating rights.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

No, you can do a deal with a team who will sign him, or feels like it's a lock if they get a head start on UFA (like when Calgary got Jaybo's rights).

I suppose it is possible, but keep in mind how coveted Jaybo was a free agent (tons of teams wanted him). Ramo will likely have only a couple suitors so I don't see the return being even meaningful. There are also new UFA rules where teams can contact them a week prior to signing them

Originally Posted by nik-

Trade Hiller. Sign Ramo for 2 years. Ramo/Ortio NHL tandem. Gillies/AHL vet AHL tandem.

I like this as well. We can also probably retain salary on Hiller's 1 year to raise the return

[sureLoss]

Link

[AC]

Their mascot is terrifying.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Think they might wait until AHL season is over.

If they sign him to NHL roster now they have to send Ortio down.

If they wait to sign him they can place him on the roster and keep Ortio up as well.

With Ramo skating and practicing already, I think things might change, Flames can now sign Gillies anytime soon if they wanted and not worried about sending Ortio back in the AHL(emergency recall rules). That is only if Ramo is ready to go.

[thymebalm]

I half feel like Gillies is going to want NHL time right off the bat, and may feel obliged to use his ability to return for his senior year as leverage against the team.. It's hard to say. If teams are offering to trade an NHLer away to sign O'Connor, then you have to imagine some teams are hungry enough to do the same for Gillies next season...

I know there is no reason to think he wouldn't sign with us, but what is the guarantee that foregoing his senior year doesn't mean long bus rides and being a whole country away from your best friends.

I'm quite glad they created the Pacific Division for next season in the AHL. Players should be a lot more excited about that situation than the current grind of the AHL. Live in California, play in California, less games, less travel... Seems like an easier sell anyway.

[868904]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

I half feel like Gillies is going to want NHL time right off the bat, and may feel obliged to use his ability to return for his senior year as leverage against the team.. It's hard to say. If teams are offering to trade an NHLer away to sign O'Connor, then you have to imagine some teams are hungry enough to do the same for Gillies next season...

I know there is no reason to think he wouldn't sign with us, but what is the guarantee that foregoing his senior year doesn't mean long bus rides and being a whole country away from your best friends.

I'm quite glad they created the Pacific Division for next season in the AHL. Players should be a lot more excited about that situation than the current grind of the AHL. Live in California, play in California, less games, less travel... Seems like an easier sell anyway.

He's going to demand that the Flames play him in a playoff game? No one is offering O'Connor a game in the playoffs. All that talk was about the regular season, and that's over now.

I think everyone is too worried about this. There's no rush.